a large and unbroken expanse or distance; a stretch of highway; a stretch of clear water'

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

[ Syn: reach , reaching ]

a straightaway section of a racetrack

exercise designed to extend the limbs and muscles to their full extent

[ Syn: stretching ]

extension to or beyond the ordinary limit; running at full stretch; by no stretch of the imagination; beyond any stretch of his understanding'

an unbroken period of time during which you do something; there were stretches of boredom; he did a stretch in the federal penitentiary

[ Syn: stint ]

the capacity for being stretched

[ Syn: stretchiness , stretchability ]

having an elongated seating area; a stretch limousine'

easily stretched; stretch hosiery'

occupy a large, elongated area; The park stretched beneath the train line

[ Syn: stretch along ]

increase in quantity or bulk by adding a cheaper substance; stretch the soup by adding some more cream; extend the casserole with a little rice

[ Syn: extend ]

extend ones body or limbs; Lets stretch for a minute--weve been sitting here for over 3 hours

[ Syn: stretch out ]

extend ones limbs or muscles, or the entire body; Stretch your legs!; Extend your right arm above your head

[ Syn: extend ]

extend or stretch out to a greater or the full length; Unfold the newspaper; stretch out that piece of cloth; extend the TV antenna

[ Syn: unfold , stretch out , extend ]

become longer by being stretched and pulled; The fabric stretches'

make long or longer by pulling and stretching; stretch the fabric

[ Syn: elongate ]

lie down comfortably; To enjoy the picnic, we stretched out on the grass

[ Syn: stretch out ]

pull in opposite directions; During the Inquisition, the torturers would stretch their victims on a rack'

extend the scope or meaning of; often unduly; Stretch the limits; stretch my patience; stretch the imagination'

corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones; adulterate liquor

[ Syn: load , adulterate , dilute , debase ]