stretch out
VerbWordNet 3.0
Verb (5)
- extend or stretch out to a greater or the full length“Unfold the newspaper”“stretch out that piece of cloth”“extend the TV antenna”Synonyms: unfoldstretchstretch outextend
- lie down comfortably“To enjoy the picnic, we stretched out on the grass”Synonyms: stretchstretch out
- thrust or extend out“He held out his hand”“point a finger”“extend a hand”“the bee exserted its sting”Synonyms: exsertstretch output outextendhold outstretch forth
- extend one's body or limbs“Let's stretch for a minute--we've been sitting here for over 3 hours”Synonyms: stretchstretch out
- stretch (the neck) so as to see better“The women craned their necks to see the President drive by”Synonyms: cranestretch out
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Stretch \Stretch\, v. i.
1.To be extended; to be drawn out in length or in breadth, or both; to spread; to reach; as, the iron road stretches across the continent; the lake stretches over fifty square miles. [1913 Webster]
As far as stretcheth any ground.— Gower.[1913 Webster]
2.To extend or spread one's self, or one's limbs; as, the lazy man yawns and stretches. [1913 Webster]
3.To be extended, or to bear extension, without breaking, as elastic or ductile substances. [1913 Webster]
The inner membrane . . . because it would stretch and yield, remained umbroken.— Boyle.[1913 Webster]
4.To strain the truth; to exaggerate; as, a man apt to stretch in his report of facts. [Obs. or Colloq.] [1913 Webster]
5.(Naut.) To sail by the wind under press of canvas; as, the ship stretched to the eastward. --Ham. Nav. Encyc. [1913 Webster]
Stretch out, an order to rowers to extend themselves forward in dipping the oar. [1913 Webster]