Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

in·crease       (ĭn-krēs')  Pronunciation Key  v.   in·creased, in·creas·ing, in·creas·es v.   intr. To become greater or larger. To multiply; reproduce. v.   tr. To make greater or larger. n.   (ĭn'krēs') The act of increasing: a steady increase in temperature. The amount or rate by which something is increased: a tax increase of 15 percent. Obsolete Reproduction and spread; propagation. [Middle English encresen, from Old French encreistre, encreiss-, from Latin incrēscere : in-, intensive pref.; see in-2 + crēscere, to grow; see ker-2 in Indo-European roots.] in·creas'a·ble adj., in·creas'er n., in·creas'ing·ly adv. Synonyms: These verbs mean to make or become greater or larger. Increase sometimes suggests steady growth: The mayor's political influence rapidly increased. "No machines will increase the possibilities of life. They only increase the possibilities of idleness" (John Ruskin). To expand is to increase in size, area, volume, bulk, or range: He inhaled deeply, expanding his chest. "Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion" (C. Northcote Parkinson). Enlarge refers to expansion in size, extent, capacity, or scope: The landowner enlarged her property by repeated purchases. My knowledge of literature has enlarged considerably since I joined a reading group. To extend is to lengthen in space or time or to broaden in range: The transit authority extended the subway line to the next town. The baseball season extends into October. Augment usually applies to what is already developed or well under way: She augmented her collection of books each month. His depression augments with each visit to the hospital. To multiply is to increase in number, especially by propagation or procreation: "As for my cats, they multiplied" (Daniel Defoe). "May thy days be multiplied!" (Sir Walter Scott).

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
increase  (v.)

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

increase
noun
1.	a quantity that is added; "there was an addition to property taxes this year"; "they recorded the cattle's gain in weight over a period of weeks" [syn: addition]
2.	a change resulting in an increase; "the increase is scheduled for next month" [ant: decrease]
3.	a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important; "the increase in unemployment"; "the growth of population" [ant: decrease]
4.	the amount by which something increases; "they proposed an increase of 15 percent in the fare" [ant: decrease]
5.	the act of increasing something; "he gave me an increase in salary" [ant: decrease]
verb
1.	become bigger or greater in amount; "The amount of work increased" [ant: decrease]
2.	make bigger or more; "The boss finally increased her salary"; "The university increased the number of students it admitted" [ant: decrease]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Increase

In*crease"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Increased; p. pr. & vb. n. Increasing.] [OE. incresen, encresen, enrescen, OF. encreistre, fr. L. increscere; pref. in- in + crescere to grow. See Crescent, and cf. Decrease.]

1. To become greater or more in size, quantity, number, degree, value, intensity, power, authority, reputation, wealth; to grow; to augment; to advance; -- opposed to decrease.

The waters increased and bare up the ark. --Gen. vii. 17.

He must increase, but I must decrease. --John iii. 30.

The heavens forbid But that our loves and comforts should increase, Even as our days do grow! --Shak.

2. To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific.

Fishes are more numerous of increasing than beasts or birds, as appears by their numerous spawn. --Sir M. Hale.

3. (Astron.) To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax; as, the moon increases.

Increasing function (Math.), a function whose value increases when that of the variable increases, and decreases when the latter is diminished.

Syn: To enlarge; extend; multiply; expand; develop; heighten; amplify; raise; enhance; spread; aggravate; magnify; augment; advance.

Usage: To Increase, Enlarge, Extend. Enlarge implies to make larger or broader in size. Extend marks the progress of enlargement so as to have wider boundaries. Increase denotes enlargement by growth and internal vitality, as in the case of plants. A kingdom is enlarged by the addition of new territories; the mind is enlarged by knowledge. A kingdom is extended when its boundaries are carried to a greater distance from the center. A man's riches, honors, knowledge, etc., are increased by accessions which are made from time to time.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Increase

In*crease"\, v. t. To augment or make greater in bulk, quantity, extent, value, or amount, etc.; to add to; to extend; to lengthen; to enhance; to aggravate; as, to increase one's possessions, influence.

I will increase the famine. --Ezek. v. 16.

Make denials Increase your services. --Shak.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Increase

In"crease\ (?; 277), n. [OE. encres, encresse. See Increase, v. i.]

1. Addition or enlargement in size, extent, quantity, number, intensity, value, substance, etc.; augmentation; growth.

As if increase of appetite had grown By what if fed on. --Shak.

For things of tender kind for pleasure made Shoot up with swift increase, and sudden are decay'd. --Dryden.

2. That which is added to the original stock by augmentation or growth; produce; profit; interest.

Take thou no usury of him, or increase. --Lev. xxv. 36.

Let them not live to taste this land's increase. --Shak.

3. Progeny; issue; offspring.

All the increase of thy house shall die in the flower of their age. --1 Sam. ii. 33.

4. Generation. [Obs.] "Organs of increase." --Shak.

5. (Astron.) The period of increasing light, or luminous phase; the waxing; -- said of the moon.

Seeds, hair, nails, hedges, and herbs will grow soonest if set or cut in the increase of the moon. --Bacon.

Increase twist, the twixt of a rifle groove in which the angle of twist increases from the breech to the muzzle.

Syn: Enlargement; extension; growth; development; increment; addition; accession; production.