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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.
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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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Aggrandizement

Ag*gran"dize*ment\ (?; 277), n. [Cf. F. agrandissement.] The act of aggrandizing, or the state of being aggrandized or exalted in power, rank, honor, or wealth; exaltation; enlargement; as, the emperor seeks only the aggrandizement of his own family.

Syn: Augmentation; exaltation; enlargement; advancement; promotion; preferment.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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