Distendono

Distendono is the third-person plural present indicative form of the Italian verb distendere. It translates roughly as “they distend,” “they stretch out,” or “they extend.” The verb belongs to the -ere group and is used to describe making something longer, wider, or more expansive, whether physically (a fabric, a limb) or abstractly (a space, a line).

Etymology and forms: distendere comes from Latin distendere, derived from dis- “apart” + tendere “to stretch.” The principal forms include distendo (I distend), distendi (you distend), distende (he/she/it distends), distendiamo, distendete, distendono. The past participle is disteso, used with avere in compound tenses (ho disteso). The gerund is distendendo, and the infinitive is distendere.

Usage and contexts: Distendere describes the action of lengthening or widening something. It can apply to tangible objects, such as distendere una stoffa or distendere una linea, as well as to the body or muscles, in sense of relaxing or reducing tension (distendere i muscoli). In medical or technical language, it may also refer to dilation or expansion of vessels or cavities. The form distendono specifically indicates that a plural subject is performing the action in the present.

See also: distensione (the noun referring to relaxation or expansion), distensivo (related adjective).