▪ I. dilater
(daɪˈleɪtə(r))
[f. dilate v.2 + -er1. Now mostly supplanted by the less correctly formed dilator1.]
One who or that which dilates.
| 1605 Shelton Commend. Verses in Verstegan Dec. Intell., Thy labours shew thy will to dignifie The first dilaters of thy famous Nation. 1640 Bp. Hall Chr. Moder. (ed. Ward) 38/1 Away, then, ye cruel torturers of opinions, dilaters of errors, delators of your brethren. |
b. spec. A surgical instrument used to dilate a part; = dilator n.1 a.
| 1634 T. Johnson Parey's Chirurg. 464 A dilater made for to open the mouth and teeth. 1668 R. L'Estrange Vis. Quev. (1708) 28 In the tail of these, came the Surgeons, laden with Pincers..Dilaters, Scissers. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Dilatatory, or Dilater, a Surgeon's dilating Instrument, hollow on the inside, to draw barbed Iron, &c. out of a Wound: Also an Instrument with which the Mouth of the Womb may be dilated. 1721–1800 Bailey, Dilater. |
c. Anat. A muscle which dilates or expands a part; = dilatator a, dilator n.1 b.
| 1683 Snape Anat. Horse iv. xiv. (1686) 171 Of the Dilaters or those that widen the Chest there are four pair. |
▪ II. dilater
obs. form of delator, accuser.