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definitions

augment

[verb awg-ment; noun awg-ment]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR augment ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to make larger; enlarge in size, number, strength, or extent; increase: His salary is augmented by a small inheritance.
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.
Grammar. to add an augment to.
Heraldry. to grant an augmentation to (a coat of arms).

verb (used without object)

to become larger.

noun

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.

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RELATED WORDS

develop, strengthen, intensify, enlarge, multiply, reinforce, heighten, enhance, inflate, boost, expand, amplify, raise, extend, swell, magnify, mount, increase, sweeten, pad

Nearby words

  1. aught,
  2. aughtlins,
  3. augier,
  4. augite,
  5. augitic,
  6. augmentation,
  7. augmentation mammaplasty,
  8. augmentative,
  9. augmented,
  10. augmented cognition

Origin of augment

1375–1425; late Middle English au(g)menten < Anglo-French, Middle French au(g)menter < Late Latin augmentāre to increase, derivative of augmentum an increase (aug(ēre) to increase (akin to eke1) + -mentum -ment) + -ā- thematic vowel + -re infinitive ending
Related formsaug·ment·a·ble, adjectiveun·aug·ment·a·ble, adjectiveun·aug·ment·ed, adjective

Synonyms for augment

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR augment ON THESAURUS.COM
1. swell. See increase. 5. increase.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for augment

British Dictionary definitions for augment

augment

verb (ɔːɡˈmɛnt)

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

noun (ˈɔːɡmɛnt)

(in Greek and Sanskrit grammar) a vowel or diphthong prefixed to a verb to form a past tense
Derived Formsaugmentable, adjectiveaugmentor or augmenter, noun

Word Origin for augment

C15: from Late Latin augmentāre to increase, from augmentum growth, from Latin augēre to increase
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for augment
v.

c.1400, from Old French augmenter "increase, enhance" (14c.), from Late Latin augmentare "to increase," from Latin augmentum "an increase," from augere "to increase, make big, enlarge, enrich," from PIE root *aug- "to increase" (cf. Sanskrit ojas- "strength;" Lithuanian augu "to grow," aukstas "high, of superior rank;" Greek auxo "increase," auxein "to increase;" Gothic aukan "to grow, increase;" Old English eacien "to increase"). Related: Augmented; augmenting. As a noun from early 15c.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper