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protendere

to stretch out, to extend

verb proh-TEN-deh-reh Rare
Body & Health Movement

Origin: From Latin protendere, 'to stretch forth'.

Also means

to reach forward

Usage Note

Protendere is a slightly formal or literary verb, often used for physical gestures — protendere le braccia ('to stretch out one's arms'). It is irregular: past participle is proteso. It takes avere; the reflexive protendersi means 'to lean forward' or 'to extend toward something.'

Examples

"Protese le braccia verso di lui."

Natural Translation

She stretched her arms toward him.

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