US /ɪkˈstensɪl/ UK /ɪkˈstensaɪl/
adj

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    capable of being stretched, extended, or protruded, especially as an anatomical structure

    The anteater gathered insects with its long extensile tongue.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · capable of being stretched,... extensibleprotrusible
More extendable
Opposites
retractileinextensible
Word family
Related forms extendextensionelastic

Etymology

Formed from extension or Latin extensus, 'stretched out,' + -ile, a suffix expressing capacity. Zoologists use it particularly for organs such as tongues that can be projected outward.

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