étaler

spread out

verb eh-tah-LEH Rare

Also means

display

Usage Note

Étaler can mean to spread a substance (butter, paint) or to lay things out on a surface. The reflexive s'étaler means 'to sprawl' (a person) or 'to spread' (a stain). The noun étalage means 'display' or 'shop window'.

Examples

"Elle étale la confiture sur le pain."

Natural Translation

She spreads the jam on the bread.

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