enhance

[en-hans, -hahns]

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verb (used with object), en·hanced, en·hanc·ing.

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.

Nearby words

Origin of enhance

1325–75; Middle English enhauncen < Anglo-French enhauncer, apparently for Old French enhaucer, equivalent to en- en-¹ + haucer “to raise” (French hausser) from the unattested Vulgar Latin altiāre (derivative of Latin altus “high,” with h- < Germanic; see haughty), though -n- is unexplained

ANTONYMS FOR enhance

1. diminish. 2. reduce.

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Related formsen·hance·ment, nounen·hanc·ive, adjectiveself-en·hance·ment, nounun·en·hanced, adjective

Synonym study

2. See elevate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for enhancement

The latent period for enhancement of growth depends on the distance of growing region from the root.
Life Movements in Plants|Sir Jagadis Chunder Bose
But this enhancement of life is exhibited not only in extension but in intensity.
Outspoken Essays|William Ralph Inge
Art and luxury have early learned that they must work as enhancement and sequel to this original beauty.
Essays, Second Series|Ralph Waldo Emerson
Breathing on the plant causes an enhancement of growth due to the joint effects of warmth and carbonic acid gas.
Life Movements in Plants, Volume II, 1919|Sir Jagadis Chunder Bose

This enhancement, however, of the revenue was only part of his rapacious program.
Secret History of the English Occupation of Egypt|Wilfrid Scawen Blunt

British Dictionary definitions for enhancement

enhance

verb

(tr) to intensify or increase in quality, value, power, etc; improve; augment

Derived Formsenhancement, nounenhancer, nounenhancive, adjective

Word Origin for enhance

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 enhancement

enhancement

1570s, from enhance + -ment.

enhance

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.

enhance

verb (used with object), en·hanced, en·hanc·ing.

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Origin of enhance

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Examples from the Web for enhancement

enhance

verb

Word Origin for enhance

enhancement

enhance