Distended

Adjective

Definition: Swollen due to pressure from inside; bloated.

Synonyms: Swollen, Bloated, Inflated

Antonyms: Contracted, Shrunken

Examples:

The distended belly of the starving child was heartbreaking to see.
The distended balloon was about to burst.

Mnemonics:

'Distended' sounds like "distant" - when something is distended, it appears bigger and seems further away.
Think of a balloon being filled with air until it becomes distended.

Etymology:

Origin:

Late Middle English from Latin 'distendere', from 'dis-' (apart) + 'tendere' (to stretch).

Historical Usage:

The word 'distended' has been used in English since the late Middle Ages to describe the state of being swollen or stretched.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Distended waistline"

Explanation:

Referring to a bloated or swollen condition of the waistline, often associated with overeating or weight gain.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing 'distended' with 'extended'.

Explanation:

'Distended' and 'extended' have different meanings - 'distended' refers to swelling or bloating, while 'extended' refers to stretching or elongating something.