broadeningn.
Expansion in breadth, dilatation.
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the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > breadth or width > [noun] > great extent across > becoming or making broad or wide
flanging1861
broadening1888
1888 N.E.D. at Broadening Mod. Newspaper. These Norfolk Broads are broadenings or reaches of the river.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online March 2018).
broadeningadj.
/ˈbrɔːdn̩ɪŋ/, /ˈbrɔːdnɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈbrɔd(ə)nɪŋ/, /ˈbrɑd(ə)nɪŋ/ 1. Becoming broader or wider; increasing in extent from side to side; increasing in breadth; widening.
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the world > space > extension in space > expansion or enlargement > [adjective] > expanding
dilating1581
bushing1607
widening1615
explicatinga1630
extensional1647
extending1812
dilatant1841
broadening1850
expanding1859
extensory1885
mushrooming1954
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > breadth or width > [adjective] > having great breadth or width > becoming broad
broadening1850
1749 R. Rolt Cambria iii. 54 When the pale moon shoots out her silver rays.., up thro' the vault Of heav'n, with broad'ning phase full-orb'd she rides.
1839 Leeds Times 9 Mar. 6/2 More distinctly tracing the broadening line of demarcation between the great mass of the people and the middle class.
1902 J. Conrad Heart of Darkness ii, in Youth 105 The broadening waters flowed through a mob of wooded islands.
2001 H. Collins No Smoke vi. 77 The broadening grins of those old Sixties members of the former flower power colony.
2. Chiefly poetic and literary. Of light, darkness, etc.: growing in intensity, esp. as day or night fully replaces the other. Also of the day or night. Also figurative. Cf. broad adj.1 5b.
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1819 Portland (Maine) Gaz. 24 Aug. The obsolete usages of the ancient common law, originating in the barbarity of feudal times, for a long time effectually resisted the broadening light and progressive influence of public intelligence.
1822 M. Roberts Royal Exile II. ix. 177 The sun-beams..spreading far their broadening light, Display'd the drear, appalling sight.
1902 Macmillan's Mag. Aug. 204/2 The broadening day had laid bare the length of the street.
1958 W. Sansom Touch of Sun 32 A concertina played somewhere..: and there was a summer echo in the air, over the broad calm lagoon, over the broadening evening.
2017 M. Guerich Gina's Balance 53 The broadening daylight illuminated the irritated look on her face.
3.
a. Becoming more general, inclusive, or wide-ranging; spec. (esp. of a person's understanding, outlook, etc.): expanding or developing through increased experience or knowledge.
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1849 Ladies' Repository Feb. 281/1 An ever-broadening and deepening sympathy with man in all his sorrows and joys, in all castes, conditions and circumstances.
1885 Manch. Courier 2 May (Suppl.) 5/4 Eventually he gave up the pastorate..in consequence of his broadening views.
1927 Palm Beach (Florida) Post 19 Dec. 1/8 Hundreds of suspects grilled in broadening search for killer.
1991 Science 8 Feb. 628/1 Each of these subjects..reflects mathematicians' broadening outlook on their discipline.
2004 Doctor Who Mag. (Special ed. No. 7) 12 May 5/3 Season Three's broadening horizons are accompanied by a noticeable darkening in tone of the stories themselves.
b. That makes something more general, inclusive, or wide-ranging; esp. that increases or widens a person's knowledge, understanding, outlook, etc.
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1850 Eclectic Rev. July 63 The shiftings and fluctuations of feeling, the growing, broadening interest of the drama, have no charm for him.
1917 Ann. Amer. Acad. Polit. & Social Sci. 72 19 A work force can be more certainly toned up by educating apprentices and giving a continuing and broadening education to operatives.
2007 S. W. Horwitt Feingold vi. 76 He traveled widely to Russia, the Middle East and throughout Europe. It was a classic broadening experience for a bright but insular young man.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2022).
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n.1888adj.1749