intransitive. To spread or stretch out; to expand, extend.

intransitive for reflexive. To spread itself out; to unfold, open out; to develop. Const. into, to.

intransitive. Of hair, etc.: To spread out conspicuously, to stream or wave in the wind. Obsolete.

To spread out like a fan. intr. for refl. to fan out: to expand in rays, to assume a fan-like shape. Also fig. and (U.S.) to make a display.

intransitive (for reflexive).

Military. intransitive. Of a body of troops: To open out so as to form a more extended front or line. Also figurative.

intransitive. To become less compact or dense, or more spacious; to thin out; (spec. of a military formation) = sense 9b.