esteso

Esteso is an Italian word functioning as an adjective and as the past participle of the verb estendere (to extend). It denotes something stretched out, wide, or extensive, and is commonly used to describe physical dimensions, geographical areas, or temporal and conceptual scope. The term derives from Latin extensus, and its related forms include estensione (extension) and estendere (to extend).

As an adjective, esteso agrees with the noun in gender and number: esteso (masc sing), estesa (fem sing), estesi (masc pl), estese (fem pl). It can describe a broad area or object, for example: un territorio esteso, una costa molto estesa, un periodo esteso. It can also convey breadth of influence or coverage, as in una rete estesa.

As a past participle, esteso is used with auxiliary avere to form compound tenses, for instance: ho esteso la mano; hai esteso l’ala. It also appears in passive or stative constructions with essere, especially in phrases like la regione è stata estesa or le aree sono state estese, indicating that something has been extended or expanded.

In usage, esteso carries nuances of breadth and duration, and its exact meaning depends on context. It is common in geography, technology, and formal writing to indicate something of considerable size, reach, or duration, rather than merely long in a narrow sense.

See also: estensione, estendere, esteso in broader Italian grammar.