From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
improve
v 1: to make better; "The editor improved the manuscript with
his changes" [syn: better, improve, amend,
ameliorate, meliorate] [ant: aggravate, exacerbate,
exasperate, worsen]
2: get better; "The weather improved toward evening" [syn:
better, improve, ameliorate, meliorate] [ant:
decline, worsen]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Improve \Im*prove"\, 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.
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I love not to improve the honor of the living by
impairing that of the dead. --Denham.
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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.
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We shall especially honor God by improving
diligently the talents which God hath committed to
us. --Barrow.
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A hint that I do not remember to have seen opened
and improved. --Addison.
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The court seldom fails to improve the opportunity.
--Blackstone.
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How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour. --I. Watts.
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Those moments were diligently improved. --Gibbon.
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True policy, as well as good faith, in my opinion,
binds us to improve the occasion. --Washington.
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3. To advance or increase by use; to augment or add to; --
said with reference to what is bad. [R.]
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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.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Improve \Im*prove"\, v. t. [Pref. im- not + prove: cf. L.
improbare, F. improuver.]
1. To disprove or make void; to refute. [Obs.]
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Neither can any of them make so strong a reason
which another can not improve. --Tyndale.
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2. To disapprove; to find fault with; to reprove; to censure;
as, to improve negligence. [Obs.] --Chapman.
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When he rehearsed his preachings and his doing unto
the high apostles, they could improve nothing.
--Tyndale.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Improve \Im*prove"\, 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.
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We take care to improve in our frugality and
diligence. --Atterbury.
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2. To advance or progress in bad qualities; to grow worse.
"Domitian improved in cruelty." --Milner.
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3. To increase; to be enhanced; to rise in value; as, the
price of cotton improves.
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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.
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