exˈtense, a. and n. Obs. or arch.
[ad. (directly, or through OF. extense) L. extens-us, pa. pple. of extendĕre to extend.]
A. adj. a. Possessing the quality of ‘extension’. b. Widely extended; extensive.
| a. 1647 H. More Song of Soul ii. ii. ii. xxvi, Common sense, that's not extense But like a centre that around doth shoot Its rayes. Ibid. ii. ii. iii. xx, Is that Idea extense? or indivisible? |
| b. 1644 Hunton Vind. Treat. Monarchy iv. 26 An Absolute Monarch who hath a power of doing, as extense as his Reasonable Will. 1652 Benlowes Theoph. Author's Prayer 17 Their [our Transgressions'] guilt more extense than any thing but Thy mercie. 1847 Emerson Poems, Alphonso of Castile 63 Men and gods are too extense;—Could you slacken and condense? |
† B. n. a. What is extended, an expanse.
b. ?
= extension (
quot. 1630).
Obs.| 1614 Sylvester Litt. Bartas 583 Wee may not match the heav'n's extense Unto Thy Circle, infinite, immense. 1630 Lane Sqr.'s Tale 187 Meeke love and stern iustice so convert as each, in each, own scopes have to insert, as reason seeth cause to make extense. |
Hence
exˈtensely adv.| 1626 W. Sclater Expos. 2 Thess. (1629) 144 This comming of the Lord is not to bee taken in atoms, but extensely. |