increase: Meaning and Definition of

in•crease

Pronunciation: (v.in-krēs'n.in'krēs), [key]
— v., n. -creased, -creas•ing,
—v.t.
  1. to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to: to increase taxes.
—v.i.
  1. to become greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality: Sales of automobiles increased last year.
  2. to multiply by propagation.
  3. to wax, as the moon.
—n.
  1. growth or augmentation in numbers, size, strength, quality, etc.: the increase of crime.
  2. the act or process of increasing.
  3. that by which something is increased.
  4. the result of increasing.
  5. produce of the earth.
  6. product; profit; interest.
    1. multiplication by propagation; production of offspring.
    2. offspring; progeny.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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