dilatational
9.1
A property of materials that makes them expand
- adjective
- /ˌdɪləˈteɪʃənl/
- Specialized
:
dilatacional
- The surface area of a bubble is larger during the dilatational phase of the pressure wave, when the volatiles exsolve from the fluid into the bubble, than during the compressional phase, when the volatiles dissolve back into the fluid.
Examples
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During the dilatational phase, the rubber band expands to its maximum size.
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In the experiment, the scientists observed dilatational changes in the metal as it was heated.
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The engineer explained the dilatational properties of the material under varying temperatures.
Antonyms
Surface Forms
dilatational positive
Morphology
dilatational = dilatation (transparent) = dilat + ation + al
The adjective is formed in a regular way from the noun 'dilatation' plus '-al', meaning 'relating to dilation' or 'causing dilation'.
Etymology
Dilatational comes from the root dilate, from a Latin word that means 'spread out' or 'make wide'. So a dilatational effect is one that makes a material or object spread out or get larger.