What is "ectasis"

Ectasis \Ec"ta*sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; 'ek out + ? to stretch.] (Pros.) The lengthening of a syllable from short to long.

n. 1 dilatation: for example, bronchiectasis, which refers to a pathologic dilatation of the bronchi of the lung. 2 The lengthening of a syllable from short to long.

n. dilatation or distension of a hollow organ [syn: ectasia]