Part 144

Ag"gran*dize (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Aggrandized (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Aggrandizing (&?;).] [F. agrandir; à (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, v. i. To increase or become great. [Obs.]

Follies, continued till old age, do aggrandize. J. Hall.

Ag*gran"dize*ment (?; 277), n. [Cf. F. agrandissement.] The act of aggrandizing, or the state of being aggrandized or exalted in power, rank, honor, or wealth; exaltation; enlargement; as, the emperor seeks only the aggrandizement of his own family.

Syn. -- Augmentation; exaltation; enlargement; advancement; promotion; preferment.

Ag"gran*di`zer (&?;), n. One who aggrandizes, or makes great.

Ag*grate" (&?;), v. t. [It. aggratare, fr. L. ad + gratus pleasing. See Grate, a.] To please. [Obs.]

Each one sought his lady to aggrate. Spenser.

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.

Ag"gra*va`ting (&?;), a. 1. Making worse or more heinous; as, aggravating circumstances.

2. Exasperating; provoking; irritating. [Colloq.]

A thing at once ridiculous and aggravating. J. Ingelow.

Ag"gra*va`ting*ly, adv. In an aggravating manner.

Ag`gra*va"tion (&?;), n. [LL. aggravatio: cf. F. aggravation.] 1. The act of aggravating, or making worse; -- used of evils, natural or moral; the act of increasing in severity or heinousness; something additional to a crime or wrong and enhancing its guilt or injurious consequences.

2. Exaggerated representation.

By a little aggravation of the features changed it into the Saracen's head. Addison.

3. An extrinsic circumstance or accident which increases the guilt of a crime or the misery of a calamity.