/ ɪnˈtensɪfaɪ; NAmE / verb
( in·ten·si·fies , in·ten·si·fy·ing , in·ten·si·fied , in·ten·si·fied ) to increase in degree or strength; to make sth increase in degree or strength
SYN heighten :
[ v ]
Violence intensified during the night.
[ vn ]
The opposition leader has intensified his attacks on the government.
► in·tensi·fi·ca·tion / ɪnˌtensɪfɪˈkeɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U , sing. ]
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WORD ORIGIN
early 19th cent.: coined by Coleridge.