increase

increase [in krēs′, in′krēs΄; ] for n. [ in′krēs΄, in krēs′]

vi.

increased, increasing [ME encresen < OFr encreistre < L increscere < in-, in, on + crescere, to grow: see CRESCENT]

1. to become greater in size, amount, degree, etc.; grow

2. to become greater in numbers by producing offspring; multiply; propagate

vt.

to cause to become greater in size, amount, degree, etc.; add to; augment

n.

[ME encrese]

1. an increasing or becoming increased; specif.,

a) growth, enlargement, etc.

b) Archaic multiplication, as of offspring

2. the result or amount of an increasing [a population increase of 10%]

——————

on the increase

increasing

increasable

adj.

increaser

n.

SYN.- INCREASE, the general word in this list, means to make or become greater in size, amount, degree, etc. [to increase one's weight, one's power, debts, etc. ]; ENLARGE specifically implies a making or becoming greater in size, volume, extent, etc. [to enlarge a house, a business, etc. ]; AUGMENT, a more formal word, generally implies increase by addition, often of something that is already of a considerable size, amount, etc. [to augment one's income ]; MULTIPLY¹ suggests increase in number, specif. by procreation [rabbits multiply rapidly ] -ANT. DECREASE, DIMINISH, LESSEN