I. in-ˈkrēs, ˈin-ˌ verb
( in·creased ; in·creas·ing )
Etymology: Middle English encresen, from Anglo-French encreistre, from Latin increscere, from in- + crescere to grow — more at crescent
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. : to become progressively greater (as in size, amount, number, or intensity)
2. : to multiply by the production of young
transitive verb
1. : to make greater : augment
2. obsolete : enrich
• in·creas·able -ˈkrē-sə-bəl, -ˌkrē- adjective
• in·creas·er noun
Synonyms:
increase , enlarge , augment , multiply mean to make or become greater. increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity
his waistline increased with age
used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition
increased her landholdings
enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity
enlarged the kitchen
augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed
the inheritance augmented his fortune
multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process
with each attempt the problems multiplied
II. ˈin-ˌkrēs, in-ˈ noun
Date: 14th century
1. : the act or process of increasing: as
a. : addition or enlargement in size, extent, or quantity
b. obsolete : propagation
2. : something that is added to an original stock or amount by augmentation or growth (as offspring, produce, profit)
•
- on the increase