Meaning

verb become wider

verb add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing

originFirst attested in 1399, in Middle English; inherited from Middle English dilaten (“to delay, tarry”), borrowed from Latin dīlātus, perfect passive participle of Latin dīfferō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)). If so, Doublet of defer and differ; see also infer, relate and refer, collate and confer, delate and defer, as well as prefer and prelate among others. Alternatively, from Latin dīlātō, see…

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0