What does the term 'dilation' mean?

The term 'dilation' refers specifically to the process of enlarging or widening. This concept is commonly used in various fields such as medicine, optics, and mathematics. In a medical context, for example, dilation often refers to the widening of blood vessels or the expansion of the pupils in the eyes. In optics, it can relate to the enlargement of an image or the aperture of a lens. Understanding dilation as an increase in size or volume helps to clarify its application in different scenarios, distinguishing it from other processes such as shrinking, maintaining size, or enhancing clarity.