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augment

[verb awg-ment; noun awg-ment]
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verb (used with object)
  1. to make larger; enlarge in size, number, strength, or extent; increase: His salary is augmented by a small inheritance.
  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).
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verb (used without object)
  1. to become larger.
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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.
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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

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1. swell. See increase. 5. increase.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for augmenting

augment

verb (ɔːɡˈmɛnt)
  1. to make or become greater in number, amount, strength, etc; increase
  2. (tr) music to increase (a major or perfect interval) by a semitoneCompare diminish (def. 3)
  3. (tr) (in Greek and Sanskrit grammar) to prefix a vowel or diphthong to (a verb) to form a past tense
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noun (ˈɔːɡmɛnt)
  1. (in Greek and Sanskrit grammar) a vowel or diphthong prefixed to a verb to form a past tense
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Derived Formsaugmentable, adjectiveaugmentor or augmenter, noun

Word Origin

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 augmenting

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper