EXACERBATE


Meaning of EXACERBATE in English

/ ɪgˈzæsəbeɪt; NAmE ɪgˈzæsərb-/ verb

[ vn ] ( formal ) to make sth worse, especially a disease or problem

SYN aggravate :

The symptoms may be exacerbated by certain drugs.

►  ex·acer·ba·tion noun [ U , C ]

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WORD ORIGIN

mid 17th cent.: from Latin exacerbat- made harsh, from the verb exacerbare , from ex- (expressing inducement of a state) + acerbus harsh, bitter. The noun exacerbation ( late Middle English ) originally meant provocation to anger .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.