enhance
[en-hans, -hahns]
- to raise to a higher degree; intensify; magnify: The candlelight enhanced her beauty.
- to raise the value or price of: Rarity enhances the worth of old coins.
Show More
Origin of enhance
Synonym study
2. See elevate.
Antonyms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
upgraderaiseaugmentstrengthenintensifycomplementappreciateenlargeincreasereinforceheightenboostaggrandizepyramidmagnifyexaltswellexaggerateelevatebeautifyExamples from the Web for enhance
Contemporary Examples
To ensure that all Afghan women see the gains of the last decade, we need to understand, support and enhance existing systems.
Those threats also led security officials to enhance certain security measures last summer.
First, Congress needs to enhance and expand immunities for responsible whistleblowers.
For years, Mooney has trained with a rowing coach to enhance his physical endurance for the potentially yearlong journey.
This is exciting because it seems that this turmeric compound can enhance the characteristics of NSCs.
Fish Oil, Turmeric, and Ginseng, Oh My! Are ‘Brain Foods’ B.S.?Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD
October 10, 2014
Historical Examples
But to be constant in a virtue is not to enhance its quality.
The LyricJohn Drinkwater
At any rate, he scours the wide world to find what may enhance the value of his soul's delight.
The SymposiumXenophon
Cork is the Isle of Saints—with a port and a garrison to enhance its sanctity.
Ireland as It IsRobert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)
Universities must enhance the use, the joy, the worth of existence.
College TeachingPaul Klapper
If anything could enhance the pleasure of this piece of fortune, it is this fact.
The Daltons, Volume II (of II)Charles James Lever
enhance
- (tr) to intensify or increase in quality, value, power, etc; improve; augment
Show More
Word Origin
C14: from Old French enhaucier, from en- 1 + haucier to raise, from Vulgar Latin altiāre (unattested), from Latin altus high
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 enhance
v.
late 13c., anhaunsen "to raise, make higher," from Anglo-French enhauncer, probably from Old French enhaucier "make greater, make higher or louder; fatten, foster; raise in esteem," from Vulgar Latin *inaltiare, from Late Latin inaltare "raise, exalt," from altare "make high," from altus "high" (see old).
Meaning "raise in station, wealth, or fame" attested in English from c.1300. The -h- in Old French supposedly from influence of Frankish *hoh "high." Related: Enhanced; enhancing.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper