Stretch, v. i. 1. To be extended; to be drawn out in length or in breadth, or both; to spread; to reach; as, the iron road stretches across the continent; the lake stretches over fifty square miles.
As far as stretcheth any ground. Gower.
2. To extend or spread one's self, or one's limbs; as, the lazy man yawns and stretches.
3. To be extended, or to bear extension, without breaking, as elastic or ductile substances.
The inner membrane... because it would stretch and yield, remained umbroken. Boyle.
4. To strain the truth; to exaggerate; as, a man apt to stretch in his report of facts.
5. (Naut.) To sail by the wind under press of canvas; as, the ship stretched to the eastward. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Stretch out, an order to rowers to extend themselves forward in dipping the oar.