dilation
n.the act of making something larger or wider. In math, it means changing the size of a shape while keeping its shape the same.
n.the process of increasing the size or extent of something. In a mathematical context, it refers to a transformation that scales an object from a fixed point without altering its shape.
“The dilation of the pupil allows more light to enter the eye.”
“The architect used a dilation of the original blueprint to create a larger model for the presentation.”
“In topology, the dilation of a set by a certain radius involves adding all points within that distance to the original set, effectively expanding its boundary.”
“The hysteroscopies were much worse than childbirth for me – it was zero dilation to full dilation in no time at all.”
From dilate + -ion, late 16th c.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.