Stretch \Stretch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stretched; p. pr. & vb. n. Stretching.]

[OE. strecchen, AS. streccan; akin to D. strekken, G. strecken, OHG. strecchen, Sw. str["a]cka, Dan. str[ae]kke; cf. AS. str[ae]ck, strec, strong, violent, G. strack straight; of uncertain origin, perhaps akin to E. strong. Cf. Straight.]

1. To reach out; to extend; to put forth.

And stretch forth his neck long and small. --Chaucer.

I in conquest stretched mine arm. --Shak.

2. To draw out to the full length; to cause to extend in a straight line; as, to stretch a cord or rope.

3. To cause to extend in breadth; to spread; to expand; as, to stretch cloth; to stretch the wings.

4. To make tense; to tighten; to distend forcibly.

The ox hath therefore stretched his yoke in vain. --Shak.

5. To draw or pull out to greater length; to strain; as, to stretch a tendon or muscle.

Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve. --Doddridge.

6. To exaggerate; to extend too far; as, to stretch the truth; to stretch one's credit.

They take up, one day, the most violent and stretched prerogative. --Burke.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)