Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Expand \Ex*pand"\, v. i.
   To become widely opened, spread apart, dilated, distended, or
   enlarged; as, flowers expand in the spring; metals expand by
   heat; the heart expands with joy. --Dryden.

Expand \Ex*pand"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Expanded}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Expanding}.] [L. expandere, expansum; ex out + pandere to
   spread out, to throw open; perh. akin to E. patent. Cf.
   {Spawn}.]
   1. To lay open by extending; to open wide; to spread out; to
      diffuse; as, a flower expands its leaves.

            Then with expanded wings he steers his flight.
                                                  --Milton.

   2. To cause the particles or parts of to spread themselves or
      stand apart, thus increasing bulk without addition of
      substance; to make to occupy more space; to dilate; to
      distend; to extend every way; to enlarge; -- opposed to
      {contract}; as, to expand the chest; heat expands all
      bodies; to expand the sphere of benevolence.

   3. (Math.) To state in enlarged form; to develop; as, to
      expand an equation. See {Expansion}, 5.

Source : WordNet®

expand
     v 1: extend in one or more directions; "The dough expands" [syn:
          {spread out}] [ant: {shrink}]
     2: become larger in size or volume or quantity; "his business
        expanded rapidly"
     3: make bigger or wider in size, volume, or quantity; "expand
        the house by adding another wing"
     4: grow stronger; "The economy was booming" [syn: {boom}, {prosper},
         {thrive}, {get ahead}, {flourish}]
     5: exaggerate or make bigger; "The charges were inflated" [syn:
         {inflate}, {blow up}, {amplify}]
     6: add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning
        of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing;
        "She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation"
        [syn: {elaborate}, {lucubrate}, {expatiate}, {exposit}, {enlarge},
         {flesh out}, {expound}, {dilate}] [ant: {abridge}]
     7: expand the influence of; "The King extended his rule to the
        Eastern part of the continent" [syn: {extend}]