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Webster 1913 Edition


Aggrandize

Ag′gran-dize

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Aggrandized
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Aggrandizing
.]
[F.
agrandir
;
(L.
ad
) +
grandir
to increase, L.
grandire
, fr.
grandis
great. See
Grand
, and cf.
Finish
.]
1.
To make great; to enlarge; to increase;
as, to
aggrandize
our conceptions, authority, distress
.
2.
To make great or greater in power, rank, honor, or wealth; – applied to persons, countries, etc.
His scheme for
aggrandizing
his son.
Prescott.
3.
To make appear great or greater; to exalt.
Lamb.
Syn. – To augment; exalt; promote; advance.

Ag′gran-dize

,
Verb.
I.
To increase or become great.
[Obs.]
Follies, continued till old age, do
aggrandize
.
J. Hall.

Webster 1828 Edition


Aggrandize

AG'GRANDIZE

,
Verb.
T.
[L. ad and grandis. See Grand.]
1.
To make great or greater in power, rank or honor; to exalt, as, to aggrandize a family.
2.
To enlarge, applied to things; as, to aggrandize our conceptions. It seems to be never applied to the bulk or dimensions of material bodies.

Definition 2024


aggrandize

aggrandize

English

Alternative forms

Verb

aggrandize (third-person singular simple present aggrandizes, present participle aggrandizing, simple past and past participle aggrandized)

  1. (transitive) To make great; to enlarge; to increase.
    to aggrandize our conceptions, authority, distress
  2. (transitive) To make great or greater in power, rank, honor, or wealth; applied to persons, countries, etc.
    • Prescott
      his scheme for aggrandizing his son
  3. (transitive) To make appear great or greater; to exalt.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Charles Lamb to this entry?)
  4. (intransitive) To increase or become great.

Translations