distend
to swell by stretching outward
Roots
- dis- / dif-: apart, away, not, reversal, or disruption
- tend / tens: stretch, strain, or extend
Other words with the tend / tens root
- contend: to struggle or argue for a position
- contention: a claim or point of disagreement
- contentious: likely to cause argument
- detente: easing of tension
- tension: strain from being stretched or pulled
Dis- gives apart and tend gives stretch. To distend is to stretch outward until something swells.
The balloon began to distend as the pressure built inside it.
Distend is physical before it is abstract. A stomach, vein, balloon, or pouch stretches outward because pressure inside is pushing against its limits.