Obs. [L., neut. of expansus, pa. pple. of expandĕre to EXPAND. Adopted by scholars of 16–17th c. as lit. rendering of Heb. rāqīas (Vulg. firmamentum, AV. firmament).] = EXPANSE sb.

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1635.  Swan, Spec. M., iv. § 1 (1643), 54. The Expansum, or stretching out of the Heavens.

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1640.  Wilkins, New Planet, II. (1684), 39. The common People usually think the Rain to proceed from some Waters in the Expansum.

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1651.  Jer. Taylor, Serm. for Year, I. xxv. 314. The mercy of God [is] a vast expansum and a huge Ocean.

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1794.  R. J. Sulivan, View Nat., II. 403. Till the whole expansum was cleared of these gross and opaque parts of matter.

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