Etymology
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expanse (n.)

"spatial extension; an uninterrupted stretch or area, especially one of considerable extent," 1660s, from Latin expansum, noun use of neuter of expansus, past participle of expandere "to spread out, unfold, expand," from ex "out" (see ex-) + pandere "to spread, stretch" (from nasalized form of PIE root *pete- "to spread").

Entries linking to expanse

ex- 
word-forming element, in English meaning usually "out of, from," but also "upwards, completely, deprive of, without," and "former;" from Latin ex "out of, from within; from which time, since; according to; in regard to," from PIE *eghs "out" (source also of Gaulish ex-, Old Irish ess-, Old Church Slavonic izu, Russian iz). In some cases also from Greek cognate ex, ek. PIE *eghs had comparative form *eks-tero and superlative *eks-t(e)r-emo-. Often reduced to e- before -b-, -d-, -g-, consonantal -i-, -l-, -m-, -n-, -v- (as in elude, emerge, evaporate, etc.).
*pete- 
*petə-, Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to spread."

It forms all or part of: compass; El Paso; expand; expanse; expansion; expansive; fathom; pace (n.); paella; pan (n.); pandiculation; pas; pass; passe; passim; passacaglia; passage; passenger; passport; paten; patent; patina; petal; spandrel; spawn.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Greek petannynai "to spread out," petalon "a leaf," patane "plate, dish;" Old Norse faðmr "embrace, bosom," Old English fæðm "embrace, bosom, fathom," Old Saxon fathmos "the outstretched arms."

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Definitions of expanse

expanse (n.)
a wide scope;
Synonyms: sweep
expanse (n.)
the extent of a 2-dimensional surface enclosed within a boundary;
Synonyms: area / surface area
expanse (n.)
a wide and open space or area as of surface or land or sky;
From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near expanse

exoteric

exothermic

exotic

exoticism

expand

expanse

expansion

expansionist

expansive

expat

expatiate

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