Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EX-TEND', v.t. [L. extendo; ex and tendo, from Gr. τεινω, L. teneo; Fr. etendre; It. stendere; Sp. extender; Arm. astenna; W. estyn, from tynu, to pull, or tyn, a pull, a stretch.]

1. To stretch in any direction; to carry forward, or continue in length, as a line; to spread in breadth; to expand or dilate in size. The word is particularly applied to length and breadth. We extend lines in surveying; we extend road, limits, bounds; we extend metal plates by hammering.
2. To stretch; to reach forth; as, to extend the arm or hand.
3. To spread; to expand; to enlarge; to widen; as, to extend the capacities, or intellectual powers; to extend the sphere of usefulness; to extend commerce.
4. To continue; to prolong; as, to extend the time of payment; to extend the season of trial.
5. To communicate; to bestow on; to use or exercise toward. He hath extended mercy to me before the king. Ezra vii.
6. To impart; to yield or give. I will extend peace to her like a river. Is. lxvi.
7. In law, to value lands taken by a writ of extent in satisfaction of a debt; or to levy on lands, as an execution. The execution was delivered to the sherif, who extended the same of certain real estate. Mass. Rep.