STRETCH

Definitions

1. 1. To reach out; to extend; to put forth. And stretch forth his neck long and small. Chaucer. I in conquest stretched mine arm. Shak.
2. 2. To draw out to the full length; to cause to extend in a straight line; as, to stretch a cord or rope.
3. 3. To cause to extend in breadth; to spread; to expand; as, to stretch cloth; to stretch the wings.
4. 4. To make tense; to tighten; to distend forcibly. The ox hath therefore stretched his yoke in vain. Shak.
5. 5. To draw or pull out to greater length; to strain; as, to stretch a tendon or muscle. Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve. Doddridge.
6. 6. To exaggerate; to extend too far; as, to stretch the truth; to stretch one's credit. They take up, one day, the most violent and stretched prerogative. Burke.