- Aggravating
- Aggravate Ag"gra*vate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aggravated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Aggravating}.] [L. aggravatus, p. p. of
aggravare. See {Aggrieve}.]
1. To make heavy or heavier; to add to; to increase. [Obs.]
``To aggravate thy store.'' --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. To make worse, or more severe; to render less tolerable or less excusable; to make more offensive; to enhance; to intensify. ``To aggravate my woes.'' --Pope. [1913 Webster]
To aggravate the horrors of the scene. --Prescott. [1913 Webster]
The defense made by the prisoner's counsel did rather aggravate than extenuate his crime. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
3. To give coloring to in description; to exaggerate; as, to aggravate circumstances. --Paley. [1913 Webster]
4. To exasperate; to provoke; to irritate. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]
If both were to aggravate her parents, as my brother and sister do mine. --Richardson (Clarissa). [1913 Webster]
Syn: To heighten; intensify; increase; magnify; exaggerate; provoke; irritate; exasperate. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.