1. to stretch, strain, stretch out , (Iliad by Homer); τ. βιόν to string a bow, (Odyssey by Homer); and in Mid. τόξον τανυσσάμενος having strung his bow, (Iliad by Homer):—;of putting the strings to a harp, ἐτάνυσσε χορδήν (Odyssey by Homer); τ. κανόνα to push the weaving-bar tight , i. e. to weave, (Iliad by Homer); ὅπως τανύσηι when he reins in [the horses, 8th/7th c.BC]; ἐπὶ Ἀκράγαντι τανύσσας (i.e. ὀϊστούς) having aimed them, (Pindar):—;Pass. γναθμοὶ τάνυσθεν (for ἐτανύσθησαν) the hollow cheeks filled out , (Odyssey by Homer); to run at full stretch , of horses galloping, (Homer)

2. metaphorically to strain, make more intense , μάχην (Iliad by Homer); ἔριδα πολέμοιο πεῖραρ τάνυσσαν strained the tug of war, (Iliad by Homer)

3. to stretch out, lay along, lay , (Homer); τ. τινὰ ἐν κονίηις, ἐπὶ γαίηι to lay one in the dust, stretch him at his length , (Homer):—;Pass. to lie stretched out , (Homer): to extend , (Odyssey by Homer); ἐπὶ χθονὶ κεῖτο τανυσθείς (Iliad by Homer):—;also, τρίβος τετάνυστο the path stretched away , (Theocritus Poeta Bucolicus) (ML)