1650s, "tending to expand," from Latin expans-, past-participle stem of expandere "to spread out" (see expand) + -ive. Meaning "embracing a large number of particulars, comprehensive" is by 1813. Related: Expansively; expansiveness.
the expansive force of fire
an expansive lifestyle
wine made the guest expansive
exoticism
expand
expanse
expansion
expansionist
expansive
expat
expatiate
expatiation
expatriate
expatriation
