Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STRETCH, v.t. [Sax. streccan; D. strekken; G. strecken; Dan. strekker; sträcka; probably formed on the root of reach, right, L. rego, &c.]

1. To dress out to greater length; to extend in a line; as, to stretch a cord or a rope.
2. To extend in breadth; as, to stretch cloth.
3. To spread; to expand; as, to stretch the wings.
4. To reach; to extend. Stretch thine hand to the poor. – Ecculus.
5. To spread; to display; as, to stretch forth the heavens. – Tillotson.
6. To draw or pull out in length; to strain; as, to stretch a tendon or muscle.
7. To make tense; to strain. So the stretch'd cord the shackled dancer tries. – Smith.
8. To extend mentally; as, to stretch the mind or thoughts.
9. To exaggerate; to extend too far; as, to stretch the truth; to stretch one's credit.