distendere
to stretch out
verb dee-STEN-deh-reh Rare
Origin: From Latin distendere (to spread out, to stretch).
Also means
to relax (to unwind)
Usage Note
Distendere is an irregular verb of the -endere group; past participle: disteso. Distendere le braccia means to stretch out one's arms; distendere un lenzuolo means to spread out a sheet. The reflexive distendersi is common in the sense of relaxing or lying down: ho bisogno di distendermi un po' (I need to unwind a bit). Cognate with English 'distend' but usually without the negative connotation of swelling.
Examples
"Si è disteso sul divano dopo cena."
Natural Translation
He stretched out on the sofa after dinner.
Related Words
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