Part 5642

<p><b>2.</b> <def>That which is improper; an unsuitable or improper act, or an inaccurate use of language.</def>

<blockquote>But every language has likewise its <b>improprieties</b> and absurdities. <i>Johnson.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Many gross <b>improprieties</b>, however authorized by practice, ought to be discarded. <i>Swift.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Improsperity</h1> <Xpage=739>

<hw>Im`pros*per"i*ty</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>improsp\'82rit\'82</ets>.]</ety> <def>Want of prosperity.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<h1>Improsperous</h1> <Xpage=739>

<hw>Im*pros"per*ous</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Pref. <ets>im-</ets> not + <ets>prosperous</ets>: cf. F. <ets>improsp\'8are</ets>, L. <ets>improsper</ets>.]</ety> <def>Not prosperous.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark> <i>Dryden</i>. -- <wordforms><wf>Im*pros"per*ous*ly</wf>, <tt>adv.</tt> <mark>[Obs.]</mark> -- <wf>Im*pros"per*ous*ness</wf>, <tt>n.</tt> <mark>[Obs.]</mark></wordforms>

<h1>Improvability</h1> <Xpage=739>

<hw>Im*prov`a*bil"i*ty</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The state or quality of being improvable; improvableness.</def>

<h1>Improvable</h1> <Xpage=739>

<hw>Im*prov"a*ble</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[From <er>Improve</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Capable of being improved; susceptible of improvement; admitting of being made better; capable of cultivation, or of being advanced in good qualities.</def>

<blockquote>Man is accommodated with moral principles, <b>improvable</b> by the exercise of his faculties. <i>Sir M. Hale.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>I have a fine spread of <b>improvable</b> lands. <i>Addison.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Capable of being used to advantage; profitable; serviceable; advantageous.</def>

<blockquote>The essays of weaker heads afford <b>improvable</b> hints to better. <i>Sir T. Browne.</i></blockquote>

-- <wordforms><wf>Im*pro"a*ble*ness</wf>, <tt>n.</tt> -- <wf>Im*prov"a*bly</wf>, <tt>adv.</tt></wordforms>

<h1>Improve</h1> <Xpage=739>

<hw>Im*prove"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <ety>[Pref. <ets>im-</ets> not + <ets>prove</ets>: cf. L. <ets>improbare</ets>, F. <ets>improuver</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To disprove or make void; to refute.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Neither can any of them make so strong a reason which another can not <b>improve</b>. <i>Tyndale.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To disapprove; to find fault with; to reprove; to censure; <as>as, to <ex>improve</ex> negligence</as>.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chapman.</i>

<blockquote>When he rehearsed his preachings and his doing unto the high apostles, they could <b>improve</b> nothing. <i>Tyndale.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Improve</h1> <Xpage=739>

<hw>Im*prove"</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Improved</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Improving</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[Pref. <ets>in-</ets> in + <ets>prove</ets>, in <ets>approve.</ets> See <er>Approve</er>, <er>Prove.</er>]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To make better; to increase the value or good qualities of; to ameliorate by care or cultivation; <as>as, to <ex>improve</ex> land</as>.</def>

<i>Donne.</i>

<blockquote>I love not to <b>improve</b> the honor of the living by impairing that of the dead. <i>Denham.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To use or employ to good purpose; to make productive; to turn to profitable account; to utilize; <as>as, to <ex>improve</ex> one's time; to <ex>improve</ex> his means.</as></def>

<i>Shak.</i>