estendo

Estendo is the first-person singular present indicative form of the Italian verb estendere, meaning to extend, stretch, or spread. It is used for both physical extension, as in estendere una mano (to extend a hand), and figurative extensions, such as extending a deadline or extending one’s influence. The verb is transitive and takes a direct object or complement depending on context.

Etymology and cognates: Estendere comes from Latin extendere, formed from ex- “out” and tendere “to stretch.” Cognates include Spanish extender, French étendre, Portuguese estender, and English extend.

Usage: In ordinary Italian, estendo governs a direct object: io estendo la mano; or is used with a phrase indicating what is being extended, such as estendere una scadenza or estendere la zona di copertura. It can also convey broadening or widening, as in estendere l’influenza or estendere l’area. The past participle is esteso, used with the auxiliary avere to form passato prossimo: ho esteso. The present participle is estendendo. The standard present indicative forms are: io estendo, tu estendi, lui/lei estende, noi estendiamo, voi estendete, loro estendono.

Notes: Estendere has broader uses in legal, logistical, and physical contexts, including both concrete and abstract extensions. It is related to phrases about extending time, space, or scope, and contrasts with stendere in other Italian verbs that denote laying out or spreading in different senses.