Definition of "expansive"

She laughed, she winked, and nodded knowingly at Pen; she tapped him on the arm with her fan; she tapped Blanche; she tapped the Major;—her contentment was boundless, and her method of showing her joy equally expansive.

1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 46, in The History of Pendennis. […], volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850

The Elastick or expansive faculty of the Air, whereby it dilates itself, when compressed (indeed this lower Region of it by reason of the weight of the superincumbent is al∣ways in a compressed State) hath been made use of in the common Weather-glasses, in Wind guns, and in several ingenious Water∣works, and doubtless hath a great Interest in many natural Effects and Operations.

1691, John Ray, The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of the Creation, page 56

Such instruments, however ingenious, are not of scientific value; because they do not admit of rigid comparison, are liable to alter in their contractile and expansive properties, and cannot be made to indicate precisely alike.

1864, Negretti and Zambra, chapter 11, in A Treatise on Meteorological Instruments