— inflater, inflator , n.
/in flayt"/ , v. , inflated, inflating .
v.t.
1. to distend; swell or puff out; dilate: The king cobra inflates its hood.
2. to cause to expand or distend with air or gas: to inflate a balloon.
3. to puff up with pride, satisfaction, etc.
4. to elate.
5. Econ. to expand (money, prices, an economy, etc.) unduly in amount, value, or size; affect with inflation.
v.i.
6. to become inflated.
7. to increase, esp. suddenly and substantially: The $10 subscription has inflated to $25.
[ 1470-80; inflatus ptp. of inflare to blow on or into, puff out, equiv. to in- IN- 2 + fla- BLOW 2 + -tus ptp. suffix ]
Syn. 1. See expand .
Ant. 1. deflate.