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more about improve
improve |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Improve \Im*prove"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Improved}; p. pr & vb n. {Improving}.] [Pref. in- in + prove, in approve. See {Approve}, {Prove.}] 1. To make better; to increase the value or good qualities of to ameliorate by care or cultivation; as to improve land. --Donne. I love not to improve the honor of the living by impairing that of the dead. --Denham. 2. To use or employ to good purpose; to make productive; to turn to profitable account; to utilize; as to improve one's time; to improve his means --Shak. We shall especially honor God by improving diligently the talents which God hath committed to us --Barrow. A hint that I do not remember to have seen opened and improved. --Addison. The court seldom fails to improve the oppotunity. --Blackstone. How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour. --I. Watts. Those moments were diligently improved. --Gibbon. True policy, as well as good faith, in my opinion, binds us to improve the occasion. --Washington. 3. To advance or increase by use to augment or add to -- said with reference to what is bad [R.] We all have I fear, . . . not a little improved the wretched inheritance of our ancestors. --Bp. Porteus. Syn: To better; meliorate; ameliorate; advance; heighten; mend; correct; recify; amend; reform. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Improve \Im*prove"\, v. t. [Pref. im- not + prove: cf L. improbare, F. improuver.] 1. To disprove or make void; to refute. [Obs.] Neither can any of them make so strong a reason which another can not improve. --Tyndale. 2. To disapprove; to find fault with to reprove; to censure; as to improve negligence. [Obs.] --Chapman. When he rehearsed his preachings and his doing unto the high apostles, they could improve nothing. --Tyndale. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Improve \Im*prove"\, v. i. 1. To grow better; to advance or make progress in what is desirable; to make or show improvement; as to improve in health. We take care to improve in our frugality and diligence. --Atterbury. 2. To advance or progress in bad qualities; to grow worse. ``Domitain improved in cruelty.'' --Milner. 3. To increase; to be enhanced; to rise in value; as the price of cotton improves. {To improve on} or {upon}, to make useful additions or amendments to or changes in to bring nearer to perfection; as to improve on the mode of tillage. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: improve v 1: to make better in quality or more valuable; "The editor improved the manuscript with his changes." [syn: {better}, {amend}, {ameliorate}, {meliorate}] [ant: {worsen}] 2: get better; "The weather improved toward evening." [syn: {better}, {ameliorate}, {meliorate}] [ant: {worsen}]
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