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aggrandizement

 - 3 dictionary results

ag⋅gran⋅dize

  [uh-gran-dahyz, ag-ruhn-dahyz]
Use aggrandizement in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -dized, -diz⋅ing.
1. to widen in scope; increase in size or intensity; enlarge; extend.
2. to make great or greater in power, wealth, rank, or honor.
3. to make (something) appear greater.
Also, especially British, ag⋅gran⋅dise.

Origin:
1625–35; < F aggrandiss- (long s. of aggrandir to magnify), equiv. to ag- ag- + grand (see grand ) + -iss -ish 2 , irreg. equated with -ize1

Related forms:
ag⋅gran⋅dize⋅ment  [uh-gran-diz-muhnt] , noun
ag⋅gran⋅diz⋅er  [uh-gran-dahy-zer, ag-ruhndahy-] , noun

Synonyms:
2. inflate, strengthen, exalt. 3. magnify.

Antonyms:
1. reduce. 2. diminish. 3. minimize.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To aggrandizement
ag·gran·dize   (ə-grān'dīz', āg'rən-)   
tr.v.   ag·gran·dized, ag·gran·diz·ing, ag·gran·diz·es

  1. To increase the scope of; extend.

  2. To make greater in power, influence, stature, or reputation.

  3. To make appear greater; exaggerate: aggrandize one argument while belittling another.


[French agrandir, agrandiss-, from Old French : a-, to (from Latin ad-; see ad-) + grandir, to grow larger (from Latin grandīre, from grandis, large).]
ag·gran'dize·ment (ə-grān'dĭz-mənt, -dīz'-) n., ag·gran'diz'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

aggrandize 
1634, from Fr. agrandiss-, prp. stem of agrandir "to augment," from O.Fr. à "to" + grandir "to increase," from L. grandire "to make great," from grandis (see great). The double -g- spelling is by false analogy with L. words in ad-.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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