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 or 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. -- 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.
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.
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 it 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.
