— escalation , n. — escalatory /es"keuh leuh tawr'ee, -tohr'ee/ , adj.
/es"keuh layt'/ , v.t., v.i., escalated, escalating .
1. to increase in intensity, magnitude, etc.: to escalate a war; a time when prices escalate.
2. to raise, lower, rise, or descend on or as if on an escalator.
[ 1920-25; back formation from ESCALATOR ]
Syn. 1. advance, mount, swell.
Ant. 1. lower, decrease, fall.
Pronunciation . See percolate .