expansive

Etymology

From Latin expāns-, past-participle stem of expandere (“to spread out”; see expand) + -ive.

adj

1. Comprehensive in scope or extent.
   expansive research work
2. Talkative and sociable.
3. Able to be expanded.
   The Elastick or expansive faculty of the Air, whereby it dilates itself, when compressed (indeed this lower Region of it by reason of the weight of the superincumbent is al∣ways in a compressed State) hath been made use of in the common Weather-glasses, in Wind guns, and in several ingenious Water∣works, and doubtless hath a great Interest in many natural Effects and Operations. 1691, John Ray, The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of the Creation, page 56
   Such instruments, however ingenious, are not of scientific value; because they do not admit of rigid comparison, are liable to alter in their contractile and expansive properties, and cannot be made to indicate precisely alike. 1864, Negretti and Zambra, chapter 11, in A Treatise on Meteorological Instruments
4. (mathematics) Exhibiting expansivity.