augment

[ verb awg-ment; noun awg-ment ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make larger; enlarge in size, number, strength, or extent; increase:

   His salary is augmented by a small inheritance.

   Synonyms: swell

2. Music.
   1. to raise (the upper note of an interval or chord) by a half step.
   2. to double the note values of (a theme):

      In the fugue's development the subject is augmented.

3. Grammar. to add an augment to.
4. Heraldry. to grant an augmentation to (a coat of arms).

verb (used without object)

1. to become larger.

   Synonyms: increase

noun

1. Grammar. a prefixed vowel or a lengthening of the initial vowel that characterizes certain forms in the nonpresent inflection of verbs in Greek, Sanskrit, Armenian, and Phrygian.

augment

verb

1. to make or become greater in number, amount, strength, etc; increase
2. tr music to increase (a major or perfect interval) by a semitone Compare diminish
3. tr (in Greek and Sanskrit grammar) to prefix a vowel or diphthong to (a verb) to form a past tense

noun

1. (in Greek and Sanskrit grammar) a vowel or diphthong prefixed to a verb to form a past tense

Derived Forms

• augˈmentable, adjective
• augˈmentor, noun

Other Words From

• aug·menta·ble adjective
• unaug·menta·ble adjective
• unaug·mented adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of augment¹

First recorded in 1375–1475; late Middle English au(g)menten, from Anglo-French, Middle French au(g)menter, from Late Latin augmentāre “to increase,” derivative of augmentum “an increase,” from aug(ēre) “to increase” (akin to eke ¹ ) + -mentum -ment )

Word History and Origins

Origin of augment¹

C15: from Late Latin augmentāre to increase, from augmentum growth, from Latin augēre to increase

Example Sentences

But Sex Box, with its ridiculous guinea pigs screwing conceit, will only augment our cultural hang-ups about sex.

From The Daily Beast

These are successful Americanizations of the culturally unique ancestors, and they augment what American cinema prizes.

From The Daily Beast

He seems to have done an acceptable job in that posting, so why not just continue and augment the relationship?

From The Daily Beast

SmartGlass will augment your gaming experience in a couple of ways.

From The Daily Beast

At dinner, she instructed the waiter to augment the french fries her husband had ordered with a side of spinach.

From The Daily Beast

Le nombre des Marchaux fut limit et non augment sous la Restoration.

From Project Gutenberg

The Secretary's remedy is to set them to raise provisions themselves, and thus augment the supply, while they diminish the demand.

From Project Gutenberg

But this one affection only served to augment the mischief that he wrought.

From Project Gutenberg

Evacuantia, L. Medicines which augment the secretions or excretions.

From Project Gutenberg

The duty of a being is to persevere in its being and even to augment the characteristics which specialize it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• add to
• amplify
• boost
• build up
• develop
• enhance
• enlarge
• expand
• heighten
• inflate
• intensify
• multiply
• reinforce
• strengthen