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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The waters increased and bare up the ark. Gen. vii. 17. [ 1913 Webster ]

He must increase, but I must decrease. John iii. 30. [ 1913 Webster ]

The heavens forbid
But that our loves and comforts should increase,
Even as our days do grow! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fishes are more numerous or increasing than beasts or birds, as appears by their numerous spawn. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Astron.) To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax; as, the moon increases. [ 1913 Webster ]

Increasing function (Math.), a function whose value increases when that of the variable increases, and decreases when the latter is diminished; also called a monotonically increasing function.

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will increase the famine. Ezek. v. 16. [ 1913 Webster ]

Make denials
Increase your services. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. encres, encresse. See Increase, v. i. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Addition or enlargement in size, extent, quantity, number, intensity, value, substance, etc.; augmentation; growth. [ 1913 Webster ]

As if increase of appetite had grown
By what it fed on. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

For things of tender kind for pleasure made
Shoot up with swift increase, and sudden are decay'd. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is added to the original stock by augmentation or growth; produce; profit; interest. [ 1913 Webster ]

Take thou no usury of him, or increase. Lev. xxv. 36. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let them not live to taste this land's increase. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Progeny; issue; offspring. [ 1913 Webster ]

All the increase of thy house shall die in the flower of their age. 1 Sam. ii. 33. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Generation. [ Obs. ] “Organs of increase.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Astron.) The period of increasing light, or luminous phase; the waxing; -- said of the moon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Seeds, hair, nails, hedges, and herbs will grow soonest if set or cut in the increase of the moon. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Increase twist, the twixt of a rifle groove in which the angle of twist increases from the breech to the muzzle.

Syn. -- Enlargement; extension; growth; development; increment; addition; accession; production. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. made greater in size or amount or degree. Opposite of decreased. [ Narrower terms: augmented ; exaggerated, hyperbolic, inflated; exaggerated, magnified, enlarged ; raised(prenominal), inflated ] [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Full of increase; abundant in produce. “Increaseful crops.” [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Increase. [ R. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that, increases. [ 1913 Webster ]