I.to stretch forth or out, to extend (not in Cic.; syn. porrigo).
I. Lit.: “hastas,” Verg. A. 11, 606 Wagn.: “bracchia in mare,” Ov. M. 14, 191: “supinas manus ad genua alicujus,” Petr. 17 fin.: “aciem (oculorum) in aestus pelagi,” Cat. 64, 127: “cervicem fortiter,” Tac. A. 15, 67: “cochleae bina ceu cornua protendentes contrahentesque,” Plin. 9, 32, 51, § 101: “protentis hastis,” Tac. A. 14, 37: “pedes temo protentus in octo,” Verg. G. 1, 171: “consanguineam protendere dextram,” Sil. 1, 655: “praerupta protendit juga Cithaeron,” Sen. Phoen. 12.—Mid., to stretch forth or out, to extend: “inter digitos medius longissime protenditur,” projects, Plin. 11, 43, 99, § 244: “protenditur ad Bactros usque gens Mardorum,” reaches, extends, id. 6, 16, 18, § 47: anus haec in pellis periculum protenditur, is swelled out, distended with drink, Plaut. Fragm. ap. Schol. Hor. S. 1, 6, 22.—Of a river: “usque ad colla cornipedum protentus,” swollen, Sil. 16, 387.—
II. Trop., to make long, to prolong, lengthen, extend (post-class.): “utramvis partem in plura verba protendere,” App. Dogm. Plat. 3, p. 267 Oud.: “praepositiones producere atque protendere,” to prolong in pronunciation, Gell. 2, 17, 1; 6: “barbare protendere,” id. 4, 17, 7.—Hence, prōtentus , a, um, P. a., stretched out, lengthened, extended (post-class.): “Phocis lucis in exortum protentior,” extending farther, Avien. Perieg. 597: “protentior vita,” Sol. 30.
