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expansive

UK[ɪkˈspænsɪv]US[ɪkˈspænsɪv]
adj

covering a large area or a wide range of subjects.

adj

friendly, open, and willing to talk.

adj

tending to increase in size or scope.

Morpheme Breakdown

ex
pans
ive
ex

out

pans

spread

ive

adjective suffix

Etymology

the word expansive has its roots in the latin verb pandere, meaning "to spread out." this verb, combined with the intensive prefix ex- (meaning "out" or "thoroughly"), yielded the late latin form expansus, the past participle meaning "spread out." the english adjective was formed by adding the productive suffix -ive, which denotes a tendency or capacity. thus, the literal sense of "having a tendency to spread out" evolved metaphorically to describe things that are wide-ranging in physical area, scope, or even in a person's open and communicative demeanor.

Analysis

Structure: ex (out) + pans (spread) + ive (adjective suffix) ex: latin origin, a prefix meaning "out, out of, thoroughly". pans: from latin root pandere (to spread), present participle stem pans-, appearing in the english spelling. ive: latin suffix -ivus, forming adjectives meaning "tending to, having the nature of".

Examples

the view from the hilltop was truly expansive.

after a few drinks, he became more talkative and expansive about his plans.

the company has ambitious and expansive goals for the next decade.

expansive – Meaning, Etymology & Word Origin | OpenEtymology