1. The act or process of thickening or making thick; the process of
becoming thick or thicker.
2. The state of being incrassated or made thick; inspissation. Sir T.
Browne.
In*cras"sa*tive (?), a. Having the quality of thickening; tending to
thicken. Harvey.
In*cras"sa*tive, n. A substance which has the power to thicken;
formerly, a medicine supposed to thicken the humors. Harvey.
In*creas"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being increased. Sherwood. --
In*creas"a*ble*ness, n.
An indefinite increasableness of some of our ideas.
Bp. Law.
In*crease" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Increased (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Increasing.] [OE. incresen, encresen, enrescen, OF. encreistre, fr. L.
increscere; pref. in- in + crescere to grow. See Crescent, and cf.
Decrease.]
1. To become greater or more in size, quantity, number, degree, value,
intensity, power, authority, reputation, wealth; to grow; to augment;
to advance; -- opposed to decrease.
The waters increased and bare 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.
2. To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or
prolific.
Fishes are more numerous or increasing than beasts or birds, as
appears by their numerous spawn.
Sir M. Hale.
3. (Astron.) To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface;
to wax; as, the moon increases.
Increasing function (Math.), a function whose value increases when that
of the variable increases, and decreases when the latter is diminished.
Syn. -- To enlarge; extend; multiply; expand; develop; heighten;
amplify; raise; enhance; spread; aggravate; magnify; augment; advance.
-- To Increase, Enlarge, Extend. Enlarge implies to make larger or
broader in size. Extend marks the progress of enlargement so as to have
wider boundaries. Increase denotes enlargement by growth and internal
vitality, 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, etc., are
increased by accessions which are made from time to time.
In*crease" (?), v. t. To augment or make greater in bulk, quantity,
extent, value, or amount, etc.; to add to; to extend; to lengthen; to
enhance; to aggravate; as, to increase one's possessions, influence.