improve

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Improved p. pr. & vb. n. Improving. ] [ Pref. in- in + prove, in approve. See Approve, Prove. ] 1. To make better; to increase the value or good qualities of; to ameliorate by care or cultivation; as, to improve land. Donne. [ 1913 Webster ]

I love not to improve the honor of the living by impairing that of the dead. Denham. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To use or employ to good purpose; to make productive; to turn to profitable account; to utilize; as, to improve one's time; to improve his means. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

We shall especially honor God by improving diligently the talents which God hath committed to us. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

A hint that I do not remember to have seen opened and improved. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

The court seldom fails to improve the opportunity. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

Those moments were diligently improved. Gibbon. [ 1913 Webster ]

True policy, as well as good faith, in my opinion, binds us to improve the occasion. Washington. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To advance or increase by use; to augment or add to; -- said with reference to what is bad. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We all have, I fear, . . . not a little improved the wretched inheritance of our ancestors. Bp. Porteus.

Syn. -- To better; meliorate; ameliorate; advance; heighten; mend; correct; rectify; amend; reform. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To grow better; to advance or make progress in what is desirable; to make or show improvement; as, to improve in health. [ 1913 Webster ]

We take care to improve in our frugality and diligence. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To advance or progress in bad qualities; to grow worse. “Domitian improved in cruelty.” Milner. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To increase; to be enhanced; to rise in value; as, the price of cotton improves. [ 1913 Webster ]

To improve on or
To improve upon, to make useful additions or amendments to, or changes in; to bring nearer to perfection; as, to improve on the mode of tillage. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. advanced to a more desirable or valuable or excellent state. Opposite of unimproved. [ Narrower terms: built, reinforced; cleared, tilled ; developed; grade ; graded, graveled ] Also See: restored. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. changed for the better; as, her improved behavior.
Syn. -- amended. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. The act of improving; advancement or growth; promotion in desirable qualities; progress toward what is better; melioration; as, the improvement of the mind, of land, roads, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

I look upon your city as the best place of improvement. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

Exercise is the chief source of improvement in all our faculties. Blair. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of making profitable use or applicaton of anything, or the state of being profitably employed; a turning to good account; practical application, as of a doctrine, principle, or theory, stated in a discourse. “A good improvement of his reason.” S. Clarke. [ 1913 Webster ]

I shall make some improvement of this doctrine. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The state of being improved; betterment; advance; also, that which is improved; as, the new edition is an improvement on the old. [ 1913 Webster ]

The parts of Sinon, Camilla, and some few others, are improvements on the Greek poet. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Increase; growth; progress; advance. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is a design of publishing the history of architecture, with its several improvements and decays. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Those vices which more particularly receive improvement by prosperity. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. pl. Valuable additions or betterments, as buildings, clearings, drains, fences, etc., on land or premises; as, to convey the land together with all improvements. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Patent Laws) A useful addition to, or modification of, a machine, manufacture, or composition. Kent. [ 1913 Webster ]