In·crease'1, v. i.
v. i. [imp. & p. p. INCREASED (-kreest'); p. pr. & vb. n. INCREASING.] [Lat. increscere, from prefix in and crescere, to grow; Norm. Fr. encrecer, n. encreas, O. Fr. encroistre, n. encrois, encroist, encroist, Fr. encroisser, It. increscere. Cf. DECREASE.]
Sense 1. To become greater in bulk, quantity, number, degree, value, intensity, authority, reputation, &c.; to grow; to augment; to advance.
The waters increased and bore up the ark. Gen. vii. 17.
He must increase, but I must decrease. John iii. 30.
The heavens forbid But that our loves and comforts should increase, Even as our days do grow. Shak.
Sense 2. To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile or fruitful.
Fishes are more numerous or increasing than beasts or birds, as appears by their numerous spawn. Hale.
Increasing function (Math.), a function whose value increases when that of the variable increases, and decreases when the latter is diminished.
Synonyms—To enlarge; extend; grow; swell; multiply; augment; advance.—To INCREASE, ENLARGE, EXTEND. Enlarge implies to make larger or broader in size. Extend marks the progress of enlargement beyond wider boundaries. Increase denotes enlargement by growth and accession, as in the case of plants. A kingdom is enlarged by the addition of new territories; the mind is enlarged by knowledge. A kingdom is extended when its boundaries are carried to a greater distance from the center. A man's riches, honors, knowledge, &c., are increased by accessions which are made from time to time.
Great objects make Great minds, enlarging as their views enlarge, Those still more godlike, as these more divine. Young.
The wise, extending their inquiries wide, See how both states are by connection tied; Fools view but part, and not the whole survey, So crowd existence all into a day. Jenyns.
May they increase as fast, and spread their boughs, As the high fame of their great owner grows. Waller.