Dilation, spelled dɪˈleɪʃən, is a noun that describes the action or process of becoming wider or larger. The word is spelled with a "d-i-l" at the beginning, followed by "a-t-i-o-n" at the end, indicating the suffix "-tion" that often turns a verb into a noun. The middle syllable "a" is pronounced as "ay" (IPA symbol /eɪ/) instead of "uh" (IPA symbol /ə/). This phonetic transcription helps to clarify the correct pronunciation and spelling of this important medical term.
Dilation, as a noun, refers to the process or action of expanding or enlarging an object or space. It involves increasing the size, dimensions, or volume of something, typically without altering its original shape or proportion. Dilation can occur naturally or be intentionally induced, and it is often used in various fields of study and disciplines.
In mathematics, dilation refers to the transformation of an object by altering its size while maintaining its shape. This process involves multiplying each coordinate of the object by a constant scale factor, thereby stretching or shrinking the figure. Dilation is a fundamental concept in geometry and is used for tasks such as finding similar shapes or enlarging and reducing figures.
In medical terms, dilation refers to the widening or opening of a bodily passage, such as blood vessels, veins, or a cervix during childbirth. Dilation of vessels is a natural physiological response that allows increased blood flow, while cervical dilation is an essential stage of labor, enabling the baby to pass through the birth canal.
Furthermore, dilation is employed in optics to describe the expansion or contraction of the pupil of the eye when exposed to different lighting conditions. In this context, dilation refers to the adjustment of the iris muscles to regulate the amount of light entering the eye.
Overall, dilation encompasses various applications and interpretations across several disciplines, all emphasizing the act or process of expanding, enlarging, or widening an object or space.
Delay.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "dilation" originated from the Latin word "dilatio", which is derived from the verb "dilatare", meaning "to spread out" or "to enlarge". This Latin term is a combination of two components: "di-", a prefix that intensifies the meaning, and "latus", which translates to "wide" or "broad". The word "dilation" entered the English language from Latin, retaining the general sense of expanding, enlarging, or stretching out.