Ag"gra*vate (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Aggravated (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n.
Aggravating.] [L. aggravatus, p. p. of aggravare. See
Aggrieve.] 1. To make heavy or heavier; to add
to; to increase. [Obs.] "To aggravate thy store."
Shak.
2. To make worse, or more severe; to render less
tolerable or less excusable; to make more offensive; to enhance; to
intensify. "To aggravate my woes." Pope.
To aggravate the horrors of the scene.
Prescott.
The defense made by the prisoner's counsel did rather
aggravate than extenuate his crime.
Addison.
3. To give coloring to in description; to
exaggerate; as, to aggravate circumstances. Paley.
4. To exasperate; to provoke; to irritate.
[Colloq.]
If both were to aggravate her parents, as my brother
and sister do mine.
Richardson (Clarissa).
Syn. -- To heighten; intensify; increase; magnify; exaggerate;
provoke; irritate; exasperate.
