improvev.²

Brit.

/ɪmˈpruːv/, U.S.

/ᵻmˈpruv/

Forms:

α. late Middle English enprove, late Middle English–1500s emprowe, late Middle English–1500s enprowe, 1500s emprou, 1500s emprow, 1500s enprou, 1500s enproue, 1500s–1600s emprooue, 1500s–1600s emproue, 1500s–1700s emprove; Scottish pre-1700 emproven (past participle).

β. late Middle English–1500s improwe, 1500s improw, 1500s–1600s improoue, 1500s–1600s improue, 1500s– improve, 1600s improove, 1600s inproue, 1600s inprove, 1700s improuve; Scottish pre-1700 improvein (past participle), pre-1700 improvin (past participle), pre-1700 improvine (past participle), pre-1700 improwen (past participle), pre-1700 1700s–1800s improven (past participle), pre-1700 1700s– improve, 1700s improvn (past participle), 1700s–1800s imprive (north-eastern), 1900s– impruve (north-eastern); also Irish English (northern) 1900s– improven (past participle).

Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymons: French emprover, approver.

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman emprover, emprower, empruer, enprower, enprouwer, enpruer to make good use of (a thing) (end of the 13th cent. or earlier), to enclose and cultivate (wasteland or unoccupied land) in order to make it profitable (end of the 13th cent. or earlier), to make profits, to enrich (oneself) (c1300 or earlier, reflexive), to better one's position (early 14th cent. or earlier, reflexive), variants (with prefix substitution: compare em- prefix) of approver, aprover, aprouer, apruwer, etc. approve v.² Compare post-classical Latin inpruare , inpruwyare , empruare to enrich oneself, to make a profit (c1170 in a British source; reflexive), to make good use of (property) (1265 in a British source), to enclose and cultivate (wasteland) (a1311 in a British source), implying earlier currency of the French verb. Compare slightly earlier improvement n.The expected forms in English would be those with medial or final w (compare allow v.); as in approve v.², the modern spelling with v (and hence the modern pronunciation with /v/) is due to the Middle English and early modern English distribution of the graphs u and v , and association with verbs which etymologically have -prove , e.g. prove v., approve v.¹, reprove v.¹ With the prefix variation in English, compare em- prefix, en- prefix¹, im- prefix¹, in- prefix³. In past participial forms with final n by association with proven, variant past participle of prove v.

†1.

a. transitive. To increase (one's income); to spend or invest (money) so as to make a profit; esp. to lend at interest. Also in figurative context. Occasionally also intransitive. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [verb (transitive)] > invest

improve1461

occupy1465

to put out1572

vie1598

put1604

stock1683

sink1699

place1700

vest1719

fund1778

embark1832

to put forth1896

1461 in 3rd Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1872) App. 313 in Parl. Papers (C. 673) XXXIII. 337 To thentent that we may..see that oure lyvelode be emprowed to oure moost advaille, thees oure lettres at oure pleasure to endure.

1549 R. L. Copye Let. Certayne Newes sig. B.iiii Suche as gather, not to spende and improue their lyuinges..For their charges,..but for their coffers.

1579 T. F. Newes from North ix. sig. D.iii Baylifs & Gardens of trust whose authoritie extendeth to improoue for y^e benefit of their Cuntries.

1646 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 192 Item I give vnto Frances Browne, my grandchilde, fifty pounds, to be payd into her father's hands..and to be improued by him for her vse.

1658 R. Allestree Pract. Christian Graces; or, Whole Duty of Man xvii. §7. 364 To put his money in some sure hand, where he may both improve, and be certain of it at his need.

a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 225 As if his Talent had been wrapt up in't Unthriftily, and now he went about Henceforward to improve, and put it out.

1746 G. G. Beekman Let. 11 Aug. in Beekman Mercantile Papers (1956) I. 4 You write you..would not have me Inprove any of the mens money before advised you.

1786 R. Price Let. 11 Dec. in Corr. (1994) III. 100 The Aid your Plan will receive from..the gratuitous Subscribers, will render it..adequate to its own Support, provided the Fund be properly improved.

1802 E. Forster tr. Arabian Nights III. 220 I will..improve the money, I have obtained, in some way of merchandize.

1847 A. P. Le Page French Prompter 173 To lend out, to improve one's money, placer, faire valoir, son argent.

b. transitive (reflexive). To increase one's income; to better oneself financially; to make a profit (from something). Also with of, on, etc., the means of profit. Obsolete.In early use spec. with reference to the enclosure of common land or wasteland for agricultural purposes by the lord of a manor; cf. approve v.² and sense 2b.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > [verb (reflexive)] > take advantage

improve1473

advantage1570

to avail oneself ofa1616

remunerate1793

1473 in Trans. Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeol. Soc. (1909) 9 280 (MED) The sayd Sr Thomas Curwen hathe improwyd hym in closure betwene the meresyke and the watter of Lowdyr.

1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng vi. f. 5 It is to be inquered..what of those wodes the lorde maye improwe him selfe & of howe many acres.

1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng vi. f. 6 If the lorde graunt a man commen with his catell, within certayne meyres..& boundes, the lorde shall nat improue hym selfe, within those meyres and boundes.

1655 T. Fuller Hist. Univ. Cambr. i. 6 in Church-hist. Brit. The Townsmen..unconscionably improving themselves on the Scholars necessities, extorted unreasonable rents from them.

1698 G. W. Let. to Countrey-gentleman 3 (note) The Dutch having grown Rich by the Late War, and improved themselves 8 Millions.

†a. intransitive. To enclose and cultivate wasteland or unoccupied land in order to make it profitable; to undertake or carry out the improvement of land or property. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > reclamation > [verb (intransitive)] > enclose land

improve1473

policea1600

1473 in Trans. Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeol. Soc. (1909) 9 281 I awarde..that the sayde S^r Thomas Curwen nor the sayde Thomas Salkeld fromhensforthe sall close nor improwe from the meresyke to the wattyr of Lowdyr abofesayde, with owt assentt off bothe the partyes.

1642 in Charter & Gen. Laws Mass. Bay (1814) xix. 65 If one man shall improve his land, by fencing in several, and another shall not, he who shall so improve, shall secure his land against other men's cattle.

1682 Satyr to Muse 78 He buys the Purchase, with design t'improve.

1702 in S. A. Green Early Rec. Groton, Mass. (1880) 123 Three acers of madow whare thay ust to Improve.

1799 J. Robertson Gen. View Agric. Perth 404 Racked rents..disable the tenant to improve.

1870 Edinb. Rev. Jan. 279 ‘Philocelt’ would go a step further, and protect, not only the tenant who had improved, but the tenant who intended to improve, from being evicted.

1914 Univ. Missouri Bull. Law Series 52 The tenant who improves, if liable for rents and profits, is only charged with the rental value of the property in the condition it was in before he improved it.

b. transitive. To enclose and cultivate (wasteland or unoccupied land) in order to make it profitable; to make (land) more valuable or productive, esp. by bringing it into cultivation or development. In later use: esp. (North American, Australian, and New Zealand) to increase the value of (farmland) by the erection of buildings, fences, etc. Cf. sense 5. Now chiefly merged in, or understood as a specific use of, sense 6a.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > reclamation > reclaim [verb (transitive)]

ina1387

reclaim1440

improve1523

win1531

mitigate1601

reform1607

stuba1650

regain1652

redeem1671

reduce1726

to bring to1814

to bring in1860

to break in1891

green1967

1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng viii. f. 8^v The tenauntes waxen more polytike in wysedome to improue their tenementes, holdynges, and fermes.

c1525 J. Rastell Of Gentylnes & Nobylyte sig. Bii Because the land shall descend to hys heyre He wyll byld theron & the land improw And make corn & grasse to encrese & grow.

1569 N. Haward tr. Seneca Line of Liberalitie ix. f. 29^v Few there are but emproue their Landes to thuttermost to maigntaine their owne auarice.

1632 in Rec. Mass. Bay (1853) I. 94 If the..said John Winthrop shall..suffer the said ileland to lye wast, and not improue the same, then this present demise to be voide.

1653 in H. S. Nourse Early Rec. Lancaster, Mass. (1884) 27 The Plantation or Sellect men shall determine the time, how Longe every man shall hold and Improue the said Lands for the proffit thereof.

a1687 W. Petty Polit. Arithm. (1690) 96 Tangier and Bumbay have..been improved from a Desart condition to abound with People.

1700 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) V. 426 The lande was..by the Industry, & vast charge of this opulent Citizen, thus improved for pleasure & retirement.

1740 W. Douglass Disc. Currencies Brit. Plantations in Amer. 21 A good Farmer improves his Lands not by working them out of Heart..but by manuring them, that they may yield the better Crops.

1796 C. Varlo Floating Ideas Nature I. xxvi. 259 This is an excellent method to improve common land that is covered with whins, should there be a general inclosure.

1837 Colonist (Sydney) 23 Mar. 95/2 The inroad upon his property is so great as to drive him to the Squatting System, actually abandoning all idea of improving the land he has purchased so dearly.

1899 J. Bell In Shadow of Bush 19 This farm must have been one of the first in the locality to be cleared and improved.

1906 L. L. Bell Carolina Lee 293 I could refuse an offer to improve my land, denuded and mortgaged as it is.

1981 N. Crawford Station Years 126 Runholders..could not be expected to improve their runs if the land and improvements were in danger of being freeholded without warning by an outside buyer.

2003 Newcastle (New S. Wales) Herald (Nexis) 24 July 55 Gray did not live on the grant, but was issued with convict servants who were set the task of clearing and improving the land.

†3.

(a) transitive. To make greater in amount or degree; to increase, augment, enlarge; to intensify. Obsolete.Now merged in sense 6a.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)]

echeOE

ekec1200

multiplya1275

morea1300

increase13..

vaunce1303

enlargec1380

augmenta1400

accrease1402

alargea1425

amply?a1425

great?1440

hainc1440

creasec1475

grow1481

amplea1500

to get upa1500

improve1509

ampliatea1513

auge1542

over1546

amplify1549

raise1583

grand1602

swell1602

magnoperate1610

greaten1613

accresce1626

aggrandize1638

majoratea1651

adauge1657

protend1659

reinforce1660

examplify1677

pluralize1750

to drive up1817

to whoop up1856

to jack up1884

upbuild1890

steepen1909

up1934

1509 S. Hawes Pastyme of Pleasure (de Worde) xxvii. sig. L.ii For thou thy selfe doost so moche enprou Aboue the heuens by exaltacyon.

1533 T. Paynell tr. U. von Hutten De Morbo Gallico f. 76 They [sc. bathes] do not..improue sweattynges.

1539 R. Pollard et al. in State Papers Henry VIII (1830) I. 619 We..made so diligent enquirye and serche, that..we muche improvide the same.

1590 H. Barrow & J. Greenwood Coll. Sclaunderous Articles sig. Gij^v They would gladly haue their portions improued.

1641 F. Rous Catholick Charitie xiii. 387 No doubt he [sc. St. Paul] improved the power which he had beyond any Romist.

1676 M. Lister in J. Ray Corr. (1848) 125 I have much improved my Catalogue of Snails, having added five species thereto.

a1687 E. Waller Wks. (1729) 245 You have advanc'd to wonder their renown, And no less virtuously improv'd your own.

1727 P. Longueville Hermit 196 These few [Peas], said he..may..be improv'd to a Quantity, large enough to serve me for a Meal.

1771 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. I. 103 This sum..only served to improve their desire for fresh exactions.

(b) transitive. With into. To make into something greater in amount, importance, etc.; to represent as something greater than in reality; to magnify, exaggerate. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] > into something greater

improve1647

to work up1693

to run on1886

1647 H. Hammond Of Power of Keyes v. 127 The seven years it seems are improved into ten.

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) London 197 Shrewd words are sometimes improved into smart blows betwixt them.

1687 T. Brown Saints in Uproar in Wks. (1730) I. 74 Some of my subjects may improve this mole-hill into a mountain, to the prejudice of my affairs.

1723 Duke of Wharton True Briton No. 58. ¶15 If he has not that Zeal without Knowledge to improve a Merry-meeting into a Riot.

b. transitive. In negative sense: to increase or intensify (something undesirable); to exacerbate, make worse. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > worse > [verb (transitive)]

worsec1175

worsena1250

appair1297

impair1297

pairc1330

aggregea1382

appalea1500

emperish1509

empyre1566

worser1590

worst1602

improve1609

pejorate1653

vilioratea1722

misimprove1847

nastify1873

1609 Bp. W. Barlow Answer Catholike English-man 286 Mistaking of a person, where two of one name concur in the same storie..may bee censured for a negligence, but not improoued to a Slander.

a1617 S. Hieron Caueat & Comfort for Beleeuers i, in Serm. (1620) I. 615 His tyranny began to be improued, and the burdens he laid vpon them were heauier then before.

1629 T. Browne tr. W. Camden Hist. Elizabeth iv. 380 Defect of health and strength, which the indisposition of the aire.., being a filthy, windy, and rainy day, much improoued.

1647 A. Cowley Incurable in Mistress vii As wholesome Medicines the Disease improve, There where they work not well.

1718 W. Penn Maxims in Wks. (1726) I. 851 Thus Men improve their own Miseries, for want of an Equal and just Estimate of what they enjoy or lose.

1726 J. Gay Let. 22 Oct. (1966) 58 It [sc. a slight fever] was occasion'd by a cold, which my Attendance at the Guildhall improv'd.

1802 B. Porteus Lect. Gospel St. Matt. I. xiii. 331 We all..have..by our own personal and voluntary transgressions, not a little improved the wretched inheritance we received from our ancestors.

c. intransitive. To become greater, increase; to advance, develop. Also with to, into. Obsolete (English regional (Lincolnshire) in later use). Now merged in sense 6e.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (intransitive)]

forthwaxa900

wax971

growOE

risec1175

anhigh1340

upwax1340

creasec1380

increasec1380

accreasea1382

augmenta1400

greata1400

mountc1400

morec1425

upgrowc1430

to run up1447

swell?c1450

add1533

accresce1535

gross1548

to get (a) head1577

amount1583

bolla1586

accrue1586

improve1638

aggrandize1647

accumulate1757

raise1761

heighten1803

replenish1814

to turn up1974

1638 tr. F. Bacon Hist. Life & Death 373 Some old Men improve in the Appetite of Feeding, by reason of the Acide Humours.

1650 W. Greenhill Expos. Ezekiel (ed. 2) 77 Iniquity improves in the going.

1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 49 Admiration improves into Love.

1776 S. Johnson Let. 3 June (1992) II. 339 The Lameness..has improved to a very serious and troublesome fit of the gout.

1809 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. I. i. iii. 28 Intimacy improves with time.

1889 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. (ed. 2) Sam is n't long for this wo'ld; th' tumour's improved that much this weak 'at he wean't hohd oot a deal longer.

†4.

a. transitive. To make good use of (a thing); to employ to advantage; (more neutrally) to utilize for a particular purpose; to avail oneself of. Cf. sense 4e. Obsolete (chiefly U.S. regional (New England) in later use).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)]

noteOE

take?a1160

turnc1175

usec1300

to fare witha1340

benote1340

spenda1400

usea1400

weara1400

naitc1400

occupy1423

to put (also set) in work?a1425

practise?c1430

apply1439

employ?1473

to call upon ——1477

help1489

tew1489

handle1509

exercise1526

improvea1529

serve1538

feed1540

enure1549

to make (also take) (a) use of1579

wield1601

adoperate1612

to avail oneself ofa1616

prevail1617

to make practice of1623

ploy1675

occasion1698

to call on ——1721

subserve1811

nuse1851

utilize1860

a1529 J. Skelton Phyllyp Sparowe (?1545) sig. C.iii His [sc. Chaucer's] mater is delectable..His englysh well alowed So as it is enprowed For as it is enployed There is no englysh voyd.

1606 Bp. J. Hall Arte Diuine Medit. Ep. Ded. sig. A3 Euer since I began to bestow my selfe vpon the common good, studying wherin my labours might bee most seruiceable; I still found they could bee no way so well improued, as in that part which concerneth deuotion.

1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. xiii. 191 The Egyptians standing on the firm ground, were thereby enabled to improve and inforce their darts to the utmost.

1650 O. Cromwell Let. 12 Sept. in Writings & Speeches (1939) (modernized text) II. 340 Improving the Covenant against the Godly and Saints in England.

1677 W. Hubbard Narr. Troubles with Indians New-Eng. ii. 4 Neer some River..whose streams are principally improved for the driving of Saw-Mills.

1694 in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) II. 461 Materials that may be vsefull for y^e College, to be improved for that vse or to be sold.

1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi vi. vii. 67/1 Her tongue was improv'd by a Demon, to express things unknown to her self.

c1710 C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 300 Every Corner is improved for Cupboards and necessarys.

1781 J. Witherspoon Druid No. 7, in Wks. (1801) IV. 191 He improved the horse for ten days. This is used in some parts of New-England for riding the horse.

b. transitive. To make good use of or make the most of (time, a situation, etc.); to take advantage of (an opportunity or occasion) (to do something). Formerly also with to and noun phrase. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] > take advantage of > turn to account

lucrify1564

improve1604

to turn to account1679

to make much (also little, something, nothing, etc.) of1707

avail1785

to make a good thing of (also out of)1800

utilize1807

exploiter1818

to make capital out of1840

capitalize1869

1604 C. Gibbon Order of Equalitie xii. 31 How can they better improue their time then for the common good of their country?

1651 Bp. J. Hall Susurrium cum Deo liii. 205 Some holy men..improved their perfect leisure to a great entirenesse of conversation with thee.

?1655 R. Baron Mirza v. 131 I shall improve the opportunity.

1677 W. Hubbard Narr. Troubles with Indians New-Eng. (new ed.) 99 Yet was their Labour well improved, and followed with good Success.

1720 I. Watts Divine & Moral Songs xx How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour!

1774 J. Adams Let. 6 July in My Dearest Friend (2007) 33 The fine Weather, we have had for 8 or 10 days past I hope has been carefully improved to get in my Hay.

1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest III. xii. 159 His next thought was how to improve the occasion.

1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 97 The Roman army improved the victory of their fleet by at once marching to Egesta.

1902 Country Life July 91/1 He [sc. a horse]..stands still until the difficulty is adjusted, possibly improving the occasion to crop a few mouthfuls of grass.

1922 People's Home Jrnl. July 13/2 Elliott improved the opportunity to take account of her.

c. transitive. With into. To treat or portray (an action, situation, event, etc.) as something greater, better, or worse than it is, for one's profit or advantage; to make use of (a situation, etc.) as something advantageous. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] > take advantage of > turn to account > make into for the sake of

improve1615

1615 Bp. J. Hall No Peace with Rome iv. in Recoll. Treat. 845 Strange and erroneous consequences, which by their sophisticall and obstinate handling, are now improued into heresies.

1688 R. L'Estrange Brief Hist. Times II. To Posterity sig. A4 The Two Main Pillars of the Old Cause were the Protestation (that was afterwards Emprov'd into a Covenant) and the Virtuality of the Sovereign Power in the Two Houses.

1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. iv. 241 Taking all opportunities, uncharitably, to improve Mistakes, into Crimes.

1746 J. Wesley Princ. Methodist farther Explain'd 66 This very Thing you improve into a fresh Objection.

1758 T. Leland Hist. Reign Philip King of Macedon I. i. i. 22 It still might have been the interest of Amyntas..to improve this incident, of the birth of his son, into a pledge of future happiness.

1805 Gentleman's Mag. Apr. 328/1 I cannot help thinking that he was led to improve his infirmity into a very great blessing, by reducing his visitor's intelligence to book, and, as it were, making every culprit sign his examination.

1846 J. W. Croker in Croker Papers (1884) III. xxiv. 67 The [potato] failure..was..(as the Methodists say) improved into an ostensible excuse for the measure [sc. Corn Law repeal].

1862 London Rev. 8 Mar. 235/2 The right endeavoured to improve the opportunity into an occasion for restricting the liberty of the press by a more general measure.

d. transitive. To make use of for moral or spiritual betterment; esp. to interpret (scripture, or a situation, event, etc.), in order to impart or obtain religious instruction or moral guidance. Obsolete.In later use chiefly in to improve the occasion, often understood as a contextual use of sense 4b.

ΘΚΠ

society > education > teaching > instilling ideas > instil ideas [verb (transitive)] > interpret morally

moralize?c1425

morala1618

improve1628

1628 R. Sanderson Two Serm. Paules-Crosse i. 68 I should also haue desired,..to haue improued it [sc. my Text] a little farther by a fourth Inference.

1652 W. Brough Sacred Princ. (ed. 2) 67 Teach me to Improve my poverty.

1677 W. Hubbard Narr. Troubles with Indians New-Eng. ii. 74 Sad Events should rather be improved to our own Instruction than the condemning of others.

1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels I. Pref. 12 The Expounding and improving the Portions of Scripture recommended to us.

1816 W. Scott Old Mortality v, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. III. 99 To improve the providential success which they had obtained by a word in season.

1840 J. Sutcliffe tr. J. F. Ostervald Ess. Composition & Delivery Serm. (Amer. ed.) 121 Bourdaloue's method of improving Scripture-narratives is worthy of imitation.

1877 D. M. F. Walker Loyal & True I. xv. 198 They may go on improvin' the occasion, as they call it, till they're black in the face.

1902 H. Bailey Gospel of Kingdom x. 133 He related the circumstances..without (to use a mode of speech) ‘improving the occasion’.

e. transitive. U.S. regional (New England). To use the services of (a person) (as or to do something); to employ. Now only in legal contexts: to use (a person) as a witness. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > hire or employ

hirec1000

i-bye10..

i-hirec1000

soldc1386

takea1400

retain1437

wage1465

conduct1476

fee1488

conduce1502

implya1533

entertain1572

enter1585

wager1592

to fill up1598

to take on1611

improve1640

to speak for ——a1688

employa1727

engage1753

ploy1871

to turn on1893

to book up1915

1640 in Connecticut Hist. Soc. Coll. (1897) VI. 11 Itis ordrd that the Townsmen haue liberty to Improue men for the killing of woolfs..and to be paid at A publiqe charge.

1677 W. Hubbard Narr. Troubles with Indians New-Eng. ii. 61 Such of the women as were gifted at knitting, and Sewing, were improved to make stockings, and garments.

1724 in H. S. Nourse Early Rec. Lancaster, Mass. (1884) 216 I endeavour to Improve the men constantly to the most advantage.

1789 B. Franklin Let. 26 Dec. in Writings (1987) 1174 He had been for more than 30 years improved as a Justice-of-Peace. This Use of the Word improved is peculiar to New England.

1798 J. Root Rep. Superior Court & Supreme Court of Errors 1 173 The witnesses improved in the former trial were admitted.

1829 Virginia Lit. Museum 30 Dec. 458/1 ‘To improve a schoolmaster.’ ‘to improve their children in labour &,c.’ New England.

1839 A. Paige Rep. Court of Chancery N.-Y. 7 138 The several parties interested in the Budlong lot under S. Stone's title were anxious to improve him as a witness.

1915 Rep. Supreme Court Vermont 88 230 The right of the respondent in that case to improve Rosenberg as a witness was challenged by the objection.

f. transitive. U.S. To make use of (a place) (as or for something); to occupy for a purpose. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > inhabiting and dwelling > [verb (transitive)]

wonOE

erdeOE

inwonea1300

inhabitc1374

indwell1382

occupya1387

biga1400

endwellc1420

possessc1450

purprise1481

people1490

dwell1520

accompany?c1525

replenishc1540

populate1578

habit1580

inhabitate1600

tenant1635

improvec1650

manure1698

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > specifically a place

improvec1650

c1650 S. More Wise Gospel-preacher 56 It follows not that these were places imployed or improved for Trayning, or preparing Persons for Gospel-preaching.

1677 W. Hubbard Narr. Troubles with Indians New-Eng. ii. 2 Other places adjoyning were soon after seized, and improved for Trading and fishing.

1751 in Rep. Rec. Commissioners Boston (1887) XVII. 259 Mr. Thomas Hunt occupied & improved a Blacksmith's Shop.

1782 in Rec. Colony Rhode Island (1864) IX. 512 That Josiah Flagg..have the liberty of improving the cellars under the state house in Providence, as repositories for the public stores.

1803 M. Cutler Jrnl. 1 Jan. in W. P. Cutler & J. P. Cutler Life, Jrnls. & Corr. M. Cutler (1888) II. 114 We found in the octagon hall, which seemed to be improved as a levee room, a large company.

1863 N. Hawthorne Our Old Home I. 117 It has come to base uses in these latter days,—being improved, in Yankee phrase, as a brewery and wash-room.

†5. transitive. To increase the price or monetary value of. Obsolete.With reference to land and rent, cf. senses 2b, 1b.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > monetary value > be valued at [verb (transitive)] > increase value of

enhance1542

improve1548

advantagec1613

appreciate1778

1548 J. Hales Let. 12 Aug. in MS BL Lansdowne 238 f. 324 Noble and gentle men whiche had not emprowed nor enhaunsed ther rentes.

1577 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Islande Brit. ii. x. f. 85^v/1, in R. Holinshed Chron. I Although peraduenture foure pounde of olde rent be improued to fourty or fiftye pound, yet will the farmer thinke his gaines very small.

1613 A. Standish New Direct. 23 All Grounds inclosed, and that heereafter may be inclosed, may be improoued three shillings and foure pence an Acre yearely.

1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 265 They improve their commodities to a treble price.

1792 J. G. Williams Cases in Equity (ed. 3) 199 The parties proposed to let a lease for sixty-one years, and to improve the rent from 16l. to 20l.

1831 Law Jrnl. 9 187/1 The defendant took down the brewhouse and erected several houses, and improved the rent from 120l. to 200l. per annum.

a. transitive. To raise to a better quality, condition, or standard; to bring into a more profitable or desirable state; to increase the value or excellence of; to make better.Now the usual sense.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (transitive)]

beetc975

betterOE

goodOE

sharpa1100

amendc1300

enhance1526

meliorate1542

embetter1568

endeara1586

enrich1598

meliorize1598

mend1603

sweeten1607

improve1617

to work up1641

ameliorate1653

solace1667

fine1683

ragout1749

to make something of1778

richen1795

transcendentalize1846

to tone up1847

to do something (also things) for (also to)1880

rich1912

to step up1920

uprate1965

up1968

nice1993

1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 219 To himselfe, whose endeavours in that Kingdome had much improved her opinion of him.

1665 R. Boyle Disc. ii. ii, in Occas. Refl. sig. C1^v From Ethical or Theological Composures, to take out Lessons that may improve the Mind.

1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 182 The Mango (which they have improved in all its kinds to the utmost Perfection).

1733 P. Lindsay Interest Scotl. 167 The Reeds, Harness, Shuttles, and Temples,..lately given to the Weavers..have improven the Cloth in its Goodness much more.

1785 J. Adams Let. 10 Sept. in Wks. (1854) IX. 540 The social science will never be much improved, until the people unanimously know and consider themselves as the fountain of power.

1811 W. Marshall Rev. Rep. to Board Agric. from Eastern Dept. Eng. 270 Admitting that these lands may be improved, by drainage and alluviation.

1862 B. Brodie Psychol. Inq. II. ii. 50 The habit of attention may be improved by exercise.

1888 J. Inglis Tent Life Tigerland 184 The tobacco smoke had not improved his appearance, and..he..looked bad enough.

1939 E. M. Tilton Lett. R. W. Emerson III. 410 (note) Emerson also tried to improve his French by reading a newspaper in that language.

1950 Michiganensian 333 With spring came the landscape-architects' chance to improve the property.

1970 R. D. Ford Introd. Acoustics v. 98 Horns are also very useful for improving the performance of loudspeakers at low frequencies.

2003 Q News (Brisbane) 12 Dec. 18/2 Attaining a ‘pre-purchase approval’..can also improve your chances of getting the property that you want in a shorter time frame.

b. intransitive. to improve on (also upon): to make or produce something better or greater than; to surpass. Cf. improvement n. 6c.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (intransitive)]

amenda1393

to improve on1618

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (transitive)] > improve upon

amendc1330

to improve on (also upon)1618

refine1659

1618 S. Latham New & 2nd Bk. Falconrie Ep. Ded. The wings of my vndeseruing Muse (improued on with the good opinion of her Patron).

1662 J. Evelyn Sculptura i. iv. 35 As the invention grew older, refining and improving upon it.

1748 J. Geddes Ess. Composition Antients 362 Longinus here seems to have improven on the orator.

1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. lxvii. 305 The son has regularly improved upon the vices of his father.

1856 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire V. xlviii. 429 It was not beyond [his] means..to improve upon this political masterpiece.

1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 232/2 The sources of light have been improved on by the adoption of the oxy-calcium, oxy-hydrogen..and electric light.

1937 Amer. Home Apr. 104/2 Attempts to improve upon old-fashioned white lead paint for the most part have aimed at retarding chalking, checking and erosion.

2008 C. Q. Yarbro Dangerous Climate 104 You haven't the building, the equipment, the staff, or the physicians you would need to improve on what you have done.

c. transitive. To make into something better or more advanced; to turn something into something else by means of improvements.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (transitive)] > improve into or out of a condition

subtilize1653

improve1700

polish1712

1626 B. Holyday 3 Serm. 67 At his resurrection he improued carcasses into Saints.

1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ii. 103 A Self-sufficiency, that soon improved into Plenty.

1700 T. Brown Amusem. Serious & Comical vii. 76 Sometimes,..a Witty Vertuous Woman will improve a Dull Heavy Country Booby, into a Man of Sence.

1777 T. Campbell Philos. Surv. S. Ireland xliv. 452 The invention of the musical glasses, now improved into the harmonica.

1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. iv. iv. 155 Preparations..for improving the blockade into more expeditious methods of reduction.

1893 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. Aug. 255 He was improved into a knight some ten years since.

1920 Musical Q. 6 95 The dulcimer was improved into the clavichord by the substitution of keys for the hammers held in the player's hand.

2011 D. Webber How Firm Found. (2012) 767 We won't have to waste all that time tinkering and experimenting to improve it into a working proposition.

d. transitive (reflexive). To raise oneself to a higher level morally, intellectually, or socially; to better oneself.

ΚΠ

1629 W. Crosse tr. Sallust Warre of Iugurth i. in tr. Sallust Wks. 223 This young man..improued himselfe more and more.

1678 J. Gailhard Compl. Gentleman ii. 40 They who are Scholars and Travellers, to get either a livelihood, or a preferment, are most concerned to improve themselves.

1748 Biographia Britannica II. 1403 Being come to Paris, he improved himself there by the conversation of learned men.

1766 J. Fordyce Serm. Young Women II. viii. 80 [She] had from her youth improved herself by reading.

1847 District School Jrnl. N.Y. Dec. 151/1 Who ever heard of mechanics, or workmen, or clerks, or any other class of employed persons taking such measures to improve themselves?

1896 Publishers' Weekly 28 Nov. 95/2 An ambitious girl who wants to see the world and improve herself.

1952 L. Hanson & E. Hanson Marian Evans & George Eliot 110 He..urged her to improve herself by attending the new ‘Ladies College’.

2014 N.Z. Herald (Nexis) 13 Oct. I always wanted to improve myself, and I never hung around a job for too long; once the challenge was over, I was gone.

e. intransitive. To increase in value or excellence; to become better. †to improve on (also upon) a person: to appear (gradually) better or more appealing to a person; to grow on a person (obsolete).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (intransitive)] > improve or grow better

betterOE

goodOE

risec1175

mend1546

meliorize1598

to mend one's hand1611

improve1642

meliorate1655

brighten1659

ameliorate1728

to look up1806

to tone up1881

raise1898

graduate1916

to shape up1938

1642 S. Hartlib tr. J. A. Comenius Reformation of Schooles 79 God..would therein prefigure the State of the Church, as it was to improve with time.

1652 W. Blith Eng. Improver Improved iv. 96 The best sort of Land of all will..Improve upon Grazing rather than lose.

1727 J. Swift Let. to very Young Lady in Misc. II. 332 It is a shame for an English Lady not to relish such Discourses, not to improve by them.

1737 S. Berington Mem. G. di Lucca 183 A Wine..mellowing and improving as it is kept.

1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. viii. 221 The relish improving upon them by degrees, they at last..preferred it to every other kind of food.

1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice III. iii. 61 But afterwards she seemed to improve on you.

1846 Farmer's Mag. Mar. 281/1 With February the weather improved.

1885 Manch. Examiner 14 May 5/3 Our trade in the south has..improved.

1920 A. Carnegie Autobiography vi. 77 During these years..the family fortunes had been steadily improving.

1964 Financial Times 23 Mar. 3/6 Norwegian kroner improved ⅛ ore to Kr.20.02⅛.

1983 Skiing Spring 39/1 As you improve, move to more difficult (blue-square) slopes and mogul fields.

2010 Ideal Home May (Living Room Ideas Suppl.) 38/1 The leather will only improve with age.

7. transitive. With away, off, or adverbial phrase of similar meaning. To cause to be lost, removed, eradicated, or spent as a result of making improvements. Frequently ironic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > remove or take away > by improvements

improve1759

1759 W. Smith Disc. Public Occas. vi. 183 It were to be wished that, among all our other improvements, we had not too much improved away this pure primitive intercourse with the Father of Light and Spirits!

1780 Mirror No. 69. 274 My crops never paid for the expence of raising them; and..I found that I had improved away every shilling of my capital.

1853 F. Pulszky & T. Pulszky White, Red, Black i. 25 Under the rule of the United States, they [sc. the French Creoles] were ‘improved off’ by sharp Tennesseeans and Kentuckians.

1879 G. Meredith Egoist I. ix. 144 I believe that, with his gift of double-blossom, he [sc. the gardener] has improved away the fruit.

1887 J. Ball Notes Naturalist in S. Amer. 213 It is a question whether, like most native races..they will ultimately be improved out of existence.

1906 F. W. Hirst Arbiter in Council 291 It was the high duty..of Christians, sovereigns, and states not merely to improve warfare, but to improve it away.

1998 T. Luke in C. Toulouse & T. W. Luke Polit. Cyberspace 125 So much of what already exists will continue to be just as it is—only it will be improved out of the network.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	improve
释义	† improvev.¹ Forms: late Middle English inproue, late Middle English inprove, late Middle English–1600s improue, 1500s emprooue, 1500s emprove, 1500s ymprove, 1500s–1600s emproue, 1500s–1600s improoue, 1500s–1600s improove, 1500s–1600s (1800s– English regional (west midlands)) improve; Scottish pre-1700 improue, pre-1700 improuin (past participle), pre-1700 improvin (past participle), pre-1700 improwe, pre-1700 impruf, pre-1700 1700s–1800s improve, pre-1700 1800s improven (past participle). Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French improver. Etymology: < Middle French improver, improuver, (with prefix substitution: see in- prefix⁴) inprouver (French (now archaic) improuver ) to disprove, refute (a statement) (c1370), to refute, contradict (a person) (c1450), to blame, censure, condemn (something) (1505) < classical Latin improbāre to condemn, reject, disapprove, in post-classical Latin also to refute, disprove (frequently from 11th cent. in British sources) < improbus bad (see improbe n.). Compare earlier prove v. and later impreve v.Compare Spanish improbar to censure, condemn (something) (1530). With forms in em- and in-, compare em- prefix and in- prefix⁴ respectively. In Scots past participial forms with final -n after prove v. (compare discussion at that entry). Obsolete. 1. transitive. To disprove, refute; to show to be wrong or false; (Scots Law) to disallow. Chiefly Scots Law in later use. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > refutation, disproof > refute, disprove [verb (transitive)] answerOE bitavelena1225 allayc1275 confoundc1384 concludea1400 conclusea1400 forblenda1400 gainsaya1400 rejag1402 to bear downc1405 redarguea1425 repugn?a1425 reverse?c1430 improvec1443 reprovea1513 dissolve1529 revince1529 convince1530 confute1533 refel1534 refute1545 void1570 evict1583 infringe1590 reprehend1597 revert1598 evince1608 repel1613 to take off1618 unbubblea1640 invalid1643 invalidate1649 remove1652 retund1653 effronta1657 dispute1659 unreason1661 have1680 demolish1691 to blow sky-high1819 c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 166 (MED) How euer manye suche rewlis or techingis han be tauȝt bifore þis day, alle þei ben inprovid and schewid to be vntrewe. c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 70 For to improue and reproue the seid firste opinioun. 1531 W. Tyndale Expos. 1 John (1537) 8 Ye se..how we haue manifestly improued the ypocrites in an hundreth textes. 1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 87 Whose doctrine when hee could by no meanes emprove, he rushed upon him like a Jolye Sycophaunte, with slaunders and reproches. 1620 T. Granger Syntagma Logicum 336 A false Axiome is improoved two wayes. 1681 J. Dalrymple Inst. Law Scotl. i. xxi. 424 Warrand was granted to the defenders to improve the Seasines, or Warrands thereof. 1723 G. Jacob Poet. Reg. I. 259 A Plagiary, who was so unhappy, that he could neither disguise or improve his Thefts. 1741 Acts Sederunt Scotl. (1790) 365 Find the Discharge is false..and therefore improve and reduce the same. 1804 W. M. Morison Decisions Court of Session XVIII. 12098 To improve the witness, by his own hand-writ, tunc incontinenter recipiendam eam probationem. 1870 in Scots Rev. Rep. (1904) 3rd Ser. 8 843 The alleged titles in favour of MacGillivray of Dunmaglass, the defender's alleged author, having been reduced and improven, the disposition of 30th April 1768 in favour of William Fraser, the defender's author, is null and void. 2. transitive. To reprove, rebuke; to disapprove of; to reject; to censure, condemn. English regional (west midlands) in later use.intransitive in quot. 1526.Particularly common in the 16th cent. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > disapprove of [verb (transitive)] misdeema1400 disprove1477 improve1526 disapprove?1562 dislikea1575 befie1589 misthinka1616 bar1620 to look upon with a bad eye1629 improbate1656 object1775 deplore1851 to take a poor view (of something)1863 deprecate1897 1526 Bible (Tyndale) 2 Tim. iii. 16 All scripture geven by inspiracion of god is proffitable to teache, to improve [Gk. πρὸς ἐλεγμόν], to informe. 1528 W. Tyndale Obed. Christen Man f. cxij^v It shalbe lawfull to rebuke and improve the false teacher with the clere and manyfest scripture. 1546 J. Bale Actes Eng. Votaryes: 1st Pt. f. 8 They haue improued that doctryne and taught the contrarye. 1560 Abp. M. Parker et al. Let. to Queen Elizabeth I in Abp. M. Parker Corr. (1853) (modernized text) 130 We trust your gracious zeal towards Christ's religion will not improve our doings. 1615 W. Bedwell tr. Mohammedis Imposturæ ii. §63 This the Astronomers do denie: yea all Philosophers do improue this opinion. 1642 Coll. Rights & Priviledges Parl. 10 When subjects doe improove wicked decrees. a1898 E. Smith MS Coll. Warwicks. Words in Eng. Dial. Dict. (1900) II. 311/1 You be too aisy with your children; you should improve them when they are so ill-mannered. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online September 2021). improvev.² Brit. /ɪmˈpruːv/, U.S. /ᵻmˈpruv/ Forms: α. late Middle English enprove, late Middle English–1500s emprowe, late Middle English–1500s enprowe, 1500s emprou, 1500s emprow, 1500s enprou, 1500s enproue, 1500s–1600s emprooue, 1500s–1600s emproue, 1500s–1700s emprove; Scottish pre-1700 emproven (past participle). β. late Middle English–1500s improwe, 1500s improw, 1500s–1600s improoue, 1500s–1600s improue, 1500s– improve, 1600s improove, 1600s inproue, 1600s inprove, 1700s improuve; Scottish pre-1700 improvein (past participle), pre-1700 improvin (past participle), pre-1700 improvine (past participle), pre-1700 improwen (past participle), pre-1700 1700s–1800s improven (past participle), pre-1700 1700s– improve, 1700s improvn (past participle), 1700s–1800s imprive (north-eastern), 1900s– impruve (north-eastern); also Irish English (northern) 1900s– improven (past participle). Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymons: French emprover, approver. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman emprover, emprower, empruer, enprower, enprouwer, enpruer to make good use of (a thing) (end of the 13th cent. or earlier), to enclose and cultivate (wasteland or unoccupied land) in order to make it profitable (end of the 13th cent. or earlier), to make profits, to enrich (oneself) (c1300 or earlier, reflexive), to better one's position (early 14th cent. or earlier, reflexive), variants (with prefix substitution: compare em- prefix) of approver, aprover, aprouer, apruwer, etc. approve v.² Compare post-classical Latin inpruare , inpruwyare , empruare to enrich oneself, to make a profit (c1170 in a British source; reflexive), to make good use of (property) (1265 in a British source), to enclose and cultivate (wasteland) (a1311 in a British source), implying earlier currency of the French verb. Compare slightly earlier improvement n.The expected forms in English would be those with medial or final w (compare allow v.); as in approve v.², the modern spelling with v (and hence the modern pronunciation with /v/) is due to the Middle English and early modern English distribution of the graphs u and v , and association with verbs which etymologically have -prove , e.g. prove v., approve v.¹, reprove v.¹ With the prefix variation in English, compare em- prefix, en- prefix¹, im- prefix¹, in- prefix³. In past participial forms with final n by association with proven, variant past participle of prove v. †1. a. transitive. To increase (one's income); to spend or invest (money) so as to make a profit; esp. to lend at interest. Also in figurative context. Occasionally also intransitive. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [verb (transitive)] > invest improve1461 occupy1465 to put out1572 vie1598 put1604 stock1683 sink1699 place1700 vest1719 fund1778 embark1832 to put forth1896 1461 in 3rd Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1872) App. 313 in Parl. Papers (C. 673) XXXIII. 337 To thentent that we may..see that oure lyvelode be emprowed to oure moost advaille, thees oure lettres at oure pleasure to endure. 1549 R. L. Copye Let. Certayne Newes sig. B.iiii Suche as gather, not to spende and improue their lyuinges..For their charges,..but for their coffers. 1579 T. F. Newes from North ix. sig. D.iii Baylifs & Gardens of trust whose authoritie extendeth to improoue for y^e benefit of their Cuntries. 1646 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 192 Item I give vnto Frances Browne, my grandchilde, fifty pounds, to be payd into her father's hands..and to be improued by him for her vse. 1658 R. Allestree Pract. Christian Graces; or, Whole Duty of Man xvii. §7. 364 To put his money in some sure hand, where he may both improve, and be certain of it at his need. a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 225 As if his Talent had been wrapt up in't Unthriftily, and now he went about Henceforward to improve, and put it out. 1746 G. G. Beekman Let. 11 Aug. in Beekman Mercantile Papers (1956) I. 4 You write you..would not have me Inprove any of the mens money before advised you. 1786 R. Price Let. 11 Dec. in Corr. (1994) III. 100 The Aid your Plan will receive from..the gratuitous Subscribers, will render it..adequate to its own Support, provided the Fund be properly improved. 1802 E. Forster tr. Arabian Nights III. 220 I will..improve the money, I have obtained, in some way of merchandize. 1847 A. P. Le Page French Prompter 173 To lend out, to improve one's money, placer, faire valoir, son argent. b. transitive (reflexive). To increase one's income; to better oneself financially; to make a profit (from something). Also with of, on, etc., the means of profit. Obsolete.In early use spec. with reference to the enclosure of common land or wasteland for agricultural purposes by the lord of a manor; cf. approve v.² and sense 2b. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > [verb (reflexive)] > take advantage improve1473 advantage1570 to avail oneself ofa1616 remunerate1793 1473 in Trans. Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeol. Soc. (1909) 9 280 (MED) The sayd Sr Thomas Curwen hathe improwyd hym in closure betwene the meresyke and the watter of Lowdyr. 1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng vi. f. 5 It is to be inquered..what of those wodes the lorde maye improwe him selfe & of howe many acres. 1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng vi. f. 6 If the lorde graunt a man commen with his catell, within certayne meyres..& boundes, the lorde shall nat improue hym selfe, within those meyres and boundes. 1655 T. Fuller Hist. Univ. Cambr. i. 6 in Church-hist. Brit. The Townsmen..unconscionably improving themselves on the Scholars necessities, extorted unreasonable rents from them. 1698 G. W. Let. to Countrey-gentleman 3 (note) The Dutch having grown Rich by the Late War, and improved themselves 8 Millions. 2. †a. intransitive. To enclose and cultivate wasteland or unoccupied land in order to make it profitable; to undertake or carry out the improvement of land or property. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > reclamation > [verb (intransitive)] > enclose land improve1473 policea1600 1473 in Trans. Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeol. Soc. (1909) 9 281 I awarde..that the sayde S^r Thomas Curwen nor the sayde Thomas Salkeld fromhensforthe sall close nor improwe from the meresyke to the wattyr of Lowdyr abofesayde, with owt assentt off bothe the partyes. 1642 in Charter & Gen. Laws Mass. Bay (1814) xix. 65 If one man shall improve his land, by fencing in several, and another shall not, he who shall so improve, shall secure his land against other men's cattle. 1682 Satyr to Muse 78 He buys the Purchase, with design t'improve. 1702 in S. A. Green Early Rec. Groton, Mass. (1880) 123 Three acers of madow whare thay ust to Improve. 1799 J. Robertson Gen. View Agric. Perth 404 Racked rents..disable the tenant to improve. 1870 Edinb. Rev. Jan. 279 ‘Philocelt’ would go a step further, and protect, not only the tenant who had improved, but the tenant who intended to improve, from being evicted. 1914 Univ. Missouri Bull. Law Series 52 The tenant who improves, if liable for rents and profits, is only charged with the rental value of the property in the condition it was in before he improved it. b. transitive. To enclose and cultivate (wasteland or unoccupied land) in order to make it profitable; to make (land) more valuable or productive, esp. by bringing it into cultivation or development. In later use: esp. (North American, Australian, and New Zealand) to increase the value of (farmland) by the erection of buildings, fences, etc. Cf. sense 5. Now chiefly merged in, or understood as a specific use of, sense 6a. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > reclamation > reclaim [verb (transitive)] ina1387 reclaim1440 improve1523 win1531 mitigate1601 reform1607 stuba1650 regain1652 redeem1671 reduce1726 to bring to1814 to bring in1860 to break in1891 green1967 1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng viii. f. 8^v The tenauntes waxen more polytike in wysedome to improue their tenementes, holdynges, and fermes. c1525 J. Rastell Of Gentylnes & Nobylyte sig. Bii Because the land shall descend to hys heyre He wyll byld theron & the land improw And make corn & grasse to encrese & grow. 1569 N. Haward tr. Seneca Line of Liberalitie ix. f. 29^v Few there are but emproue their Landes to thuttermost to maigntaine their owne auarice. 1632 in Rec. Mass. Bay (1853) I. 94 If the..said John Winthrop shall..suffer the said ileland to lye wast, and not improue the same, then this present demise to be voide. 1653 in H. S. Nourse Early Rec. Lancaster, Mass. (1884) 27 The Plantation or Sellect men shall determine the time, how Longe every man shall hold and Improue the said Lands for the proffit thereof. a1687 W. Petty Polit. Arithm. (1690) 96 Tangier and Bumbay have..been improved from a Desart condition to abound with People. 1700 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) V. 426 The lande was..by the Industry, & vast charge of this opulent Citizen, thus improved for pleasure & retirement. 1740 W. Douglass Disc. Currencies Brit. Plantations in Amer. 21 A good Farmer improves his Lands not by working them out of Heart..but by manuring them, that they may yield the better Crops. 1796 C. Varlo Floating Ideas Nature I. xxvi. 259 This is an excellent method to improve common land that is covered with whins, should there be a general inclosure. 1837 Colonist (Sydney) 23 Mar. 95/2 The inroad upon his property is so great as to drive him to the Squatting System, actually abandoning all idea of improving the land he has purchased so dearly. 1899 J. Bell In Shadow of Bush 19 This farm must have been one of the first in the locality to be cleared and improved. 1906 L. L. Bell Carolina Lee 293 I could refuse an offer to improve my land, denuded and mortgaged as it is. 1981 N. Crawford Station Years 126 Runholders..could not be expected to improve their runs if the land and improvements were in danger of being freeholded without warning by an outside buyer. 2003 Newcastle (New S. Wales) Herald (Nexis) 24 July 55 Gray did not live on the grant, but was issued with convict servants who were set the task of clearing and improving the land. †3. a. (a) transitive. To make greater in amount or degree; to increase, augment, enlarge; to intensify. Obsolete.Now merged in sense 6a. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] echeOE ekec1200 multiplya1275 morea1300 increase13.. vaunce1303 enlargec1380 augmenta1400 accrease1402 alargea1425 amply?a1425 great?1440 hainc1440 creasec1475 grow1481 amplea1500 to get upa1500 improve1509 ampliatea1513 auge1542 over1546 amplify1549 raise1583 grand1602 swell1602 magnoperate1610 greaten1613 accresce1626 aggrandize1638 majoratea1651 adauge1657 protend1659 reinforce1660 examplify1677 pluralize1750 to drive up1817 to whoop up1856 to jack up1884 upbuild1890 steepen1909 up1934 1509 S. Hawes Pastyme of Pleasure (de Worde) xxvii. sig. L.ii For thou thy selfe doost so moche enprou Aboue the heuens by exaltacyon. 1533 T. Paynell tr. U. von Hutten De Morbo Gallico f. 76 They [sc. bathes] do not..improue sweattynges. 1539 R. Pollard et al. in State Papers Henry VIII (1830) I. 619 We..made so diligent enquirye and serche, that..we muche improvide the same. 1590 H. Barrow & J. Greenwood Coll. Sclaunderous Articles sig. Gij^v They would gladly haue their portions improued. 1641 F. Rous Catholick Charitie xiii. 387 No doubt he [sc. St. Paul] improved the power which he had beyond any Romist. 1676 M. Lister in J. Ray Corr. (1848) 125 I have much improved my Catalogue of Snails, having added five species thereto. a1687 E. Waller Wks. (1729) 245 You have advanc'd to wonder their renown, And no less virtuously improv'd your own. 1727 P. Longueville Hermit 196 These few [Peas], said he..may..be improv'd to a Quantity, large enough to serve me for a Meal. 1771 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. I. 103 This sum..only served to improve their desire for fresh exactions. (b) transitive. With into. To make into something greater in amount, importance, etc.; to represent as something greater than in reality; to magnify, exaggerate. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] > into something greater improve1647 to work up1693 to run on1886 1647 H. Hammond Of Power of Keyes v. 127 The seven years it seems are improved into ten. a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) London 197 Shrewd words are sometimes improved into smart blows betwixt them. 1687 T. Brown Saints in Uproar in Wks. (1730) I. 74 Some of my subjects may improve this mole-hill into a mountain, to the prejudice of my affairs. 1723 Duke of Wharton True Briton No. 58. ¶15 If he has not that Zeal without Knowledge to improve a Merry-meeting into a Riot. b. transitive. In negative sense: to increase or intensify (something undesirable); to exacerbate, make worse. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > worse > [verb (transitive)] worsec1175 worsena1250 appair1297 impair1297 pairc1330 aggregea1382 appalea1500 emperish1509 empyre1566 worser1590 worst1602 improve1609 pejorate1653 vilioratea1722 misimprove1847 nastify1873 1609 Bp. W. Barlow Answer Catholike English-man 286 Mistaking of a person, where two of one name concur in the same storie..may bee censured for a negligence, but not improoued to a Slander. a1617 S. Hieron Caueat & Comfort for Beleeuers i, in Serm. (1620) I. 615 His tyranny began to be improued, and the burdens he laid vpon them were heauier then before. 1629 T. Browne tr. W. Camden Hist. Elizabeth iv. 380 Defect of health and strength, which the indisposition of the aire.., being a filthy, windy, and rainy day, much improoued. 1647 A. Cowley Incurable in Mistress vii As wholesome Medicines the Disease improve, There where they work not well. 1718 W. Penn Maxims in Wks. (1726) I. 851 Thus Men improve their own Miseries, for want of an Equal and just Estimate of what they enjoy or lose. 1726 J. Gay Let. 22 Oct. (1966) 58 It [sc. a slight fever] was occasion'd by a cold, which my Attendance at the Guildhall improv'd. 1802 B. Porteus Lect. Gospel St. Matt. I. xiii. 331 We all..have..by our own personal and voluntary transgressions, not a little improved the wretched inheritance we received from our ancestors. c. intransitive. To become greater, increase; to advance, develop. Also with to, into. Obsolete (English regional (Lincolnshire) in later use). Now merged in sense 6e. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (intransitive)] forthwaxa900 wax971 growOE risec1175 anhigh1340 upwax1340 creasec1380 increasec1380 accreasea1382 augmenta1400 greata1400 mountc1400 morec1425 upgrowc1430 to run up1447 swell?c1450 add1533 accresce1535 gross1548 to get (a) head1577 amount1583 bolla1586 accrue1586 improve1638 aggrandize1647 accumulate1757 raise1761 heighten1803 replenish1814 to turn up1974 1638 tr. F. Bacon Hist. Life & Death 373 Some old Men improve in the Appetite of Feeding, by reason of the Acide Humours. 1650 W. Greenhill Expos. Ezekiel (ed. 2) 77 Iniquity improves in the going. 1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 49 Admiration improves into Love. 1776 S. Johnson Let. 3 June (1992) II. 339 The Lameness..has improved to a very serious and troublesome fit of the gout. 1809 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. I. i. iii. 28 Intimacy improves with time. 1889 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. (ed. 2) Sam is n't long for this wo'ld; th' tumour's improved that much this weak 'at he wean't hohd oot a deal longer. †4. a. transitive. To make good use of (a thing); to employ to advantage; (more neutrally) to utilize for a particular purpose; to avail oneself of. Cf. sense 4e. Obsolete (chiefly U.S. regional (New England) in later use). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] noteOE take?a1160 turnc1175 usec1300 to fare witha1340 benote1340 spenda1400 usea1400 weara1400 naitc1400 occupy1423 to put (also set) in work?a1425 practise?c1430 apply1439 employ?1473 to call upon ——1477 help1489 tew1489 handle1509 exercise1526 improvea1529 serve1538 feed1540 enure1549 to make (also take) (a) use of1579 wield1601 adoperate1612 to avail oneself ofa1616 to avail oneself ofa1616 prevail1617 to make practice of1623 ploy1675 occasion1698 to call on ——1721 subserve1811 nuse1851 utilize1860 a1529 J. Skelton Phyllyp Sparowe (?1545) sig. C.iii His [sc. Chaucer's] mater is delectable..His englysh well alowed So as it is enprowed For as it is enployed There is no englysh voyd. 1606 Bp. J. Hall Arte Diuine Medit. Ep. Ded. sig. A3 Euer since I began to bestow my selfe vpon the common good, studying wherin my labours might bee most seruiceable; I still found they could bee no way so well improued, as in that part which concerneth deuotion. 1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. xiii. 191 The Egyptians standing on the firm ground, were thereby enabled to improve and inforce their darts to the utmost. 1650 O. Cromwell Let. 12 Sept. in Writings & Speeches (1939) (modernized text) II. 340 Improving the Covenant against the Godly and Saints in England. 1677 W. Hubbard Narr. Troubles with Indians New-Eng. ii. 4 Neer some River..whose streams are principally improved for the driving of Saw-Mills. 1694 in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) II. 461 Materials that may be vsefull for y^e College, to be improved for that vse or to be sold. 1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi vi. vii. 67/1 Her tongue was improv'd by a Demon, to express things unknown to her self. c1710 C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 300 Every Corner is improved for Cupboards and necessarys. 1781 J. Witherspoon Druid No. 7, in Wks. (1801) IV. 191 He improved the horse for ten days. This is used in some parts of New-England for riding the horse. b. transitive. To make good use of or make the most of (time, a situation, etc.); to take advantage of (an opportunity or occasion) (to do something). Formerly also with to and noun phrase. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] > take advantage of > turn to account lucrify1564 improve1604 to turn to account1679 to make much (also little, something, nothing, etc.) of1707 avail1785 to make a good thing of (also out of)1800 utilize1807 exploiter1818 to make capital out of1840 capitalize1869 1604 C. Gibbon Order of Equalitie xii. 31 How can they better improue their time then for the common good of their country? 1651 Bp. J. Hall Susurrium cum Deo liii. 205 Some holy men..improved their perfect leisure to a great entirenesse of conversation with thee. ?1655 R. Baron Mirza v. 131 I shall improve the opportunity. 1677 W. Hubbard Narr. Troubles with Indians New-Eng. (new ed.) 99 Yet was their Labour well improved, and followed with good Success. 1720 I. Watts Divine & Moral Songs xx How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour! 1774 J. Adams Let. 6 July in My Dearest Friend (2007) 33 The fine Weather, we have had for 8 or 10 days past I hope has been carefully improved to get in my Hay. 1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest III. xii. 159 His next thought was how to improve the occasion. 1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 97 The Roman army improved the victory of their fleet by at once marching to Egesta. 1902 Country Life July 91/1 He [sc. a horse]..stands still until the difficulty is adjusted, possibly improving the occasion to crop a few mouthfuls of grass. 1922 People's Home Jrnl. July 13/2 Elliott improved the opportunity to take account of her. c. transitive. With into. To treat or portray (an action, situation, event, etc.) as something greater, better, or worse than it is, for one's profit or advantage; to make use of (a situation, etc.) as something advantageous. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] > take advantage of > turn to account > make into for the sake of improve1615 1615 Bp. J. Hall No Peace with Rome iv. in Recoll. Treat. 845 Strange and erroneous consequences, which by their sophisticall and obstinate handling, are now improued into heresies. 1688 R. L'Estrange Brief Hist. Times II. To Posterity sig. A4 The Two Main Pillars of the Old Cause were the Protestation (that was afterwards Emprov'd into a Covenant) and the Virtuality of the Sovereign Power in the Two Houses. 1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. iv. 241 Taking all opportunities, uncharitably, to improve Mistakes, into Crimes. 1746 J. Wesley Princ. Methodist farther Explain'd 66 This very Thing you improve into a fresh Objection. 1758 T. Leland Hist. Reign Philip King of Macedon I. i. i. 22 It still might have been the interest of Amyntas..to improve this incident, of the birth of his son, into a pledge of future happiness. 1805 Gentleman's Mag. Apr. 328/1 I cannot help thinking that he was led to improve his infirmity into a very great blessing, by reducing his visitor's intelligence to book, and, as it were, making every culprit sign his examination. 1846 J. W. Croker in Croker Papers (1884) III. xxiv. 67 The [potato] failure..was..(as the Methodists say) improved into an ostensible excuse for the measure [sc. Corn Law repeal]. 1862 London Rev. 8 Mar. 235/2 The right endeavoured to improve the opportunity into an occasion for restricting the liberty of the press by a more general measure. d. transitive. To make use of for moral or spiritual betterment; esp. to interpret (scripture, or a situation, event, etc.), in order to impart or obtain religious instruction or moral guidance. Obsolete.In later use chiefly in to improve the occasion, often understood as a contextual use of sense 4b. ΘΚΠ society > education > teaching > instilling ideas > instil ideas [verb (transitive)] > interpret morally moralize?c1425 morala1618 improve1628 1628 R. Sanderson Two Serm. Paules-Crosse i. 68 I should also haue desired,..to haue improued it [sc. my Text] a little farther by a fourth Inference. 1652 W. Brough Sacred Princ. (ed. 2) 67 Teach me to Improve my poverty. 1677 W. Hubbard Narr. Troubles with Indians New-Eng. ii. 74 Sad Events should rather be improved to our own Instruction than the condemning of others. 1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels I. Pref. 12 The Expounding and improving the Portions of Scripture recommended to us. 1816 W. Scott Old Mortality v, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. III. 99 To improve the providential success which they had obtained by a word in season. 1840 J. Sutcliffe tr. J. F. Ostervald Ess. Composition & Delivery Serm. (Amer. ed.) 121 Bourdaloue's method of improving Scripture-narratives is worthy of imitation. 1877 D. M. F. Walker Loyal & True I. xv. 198 They may go on improvin' the occasion, as they call it, till they're black in the face. 1902 H. Bailey Gospel of Kingdom x. 133 He related the circumstances..without (to use a mode of speech) ‘improving the occasion’. e. transitive. U.S. regional (New England). To use the services of (a person) (as or to do something); to employ. Now only in legal contexts: to use (a person) as a witness. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > hire or employ hirec1000 i-bye10.. i-hirec1000 soldc1386 takea1400 retain1437 wage1465 conduct1476 fee1488 conduce1502 implya1533 entertain1572 enter1585 wager1592 to fill up1598 to take on1611 improve1640 to speak for ——a1688 employa1727 engage1753 ploy1871 to turn on1893 to book up1915 1640 in Connecticut Hist. Soc. Coll. (1897) VI. 11 Itis ordrd that the Townsmen haue liberty to Improue men for the killing of woolfs..and to be paid at A publiqe charge. 1677 W. Hubbard Narr. Troubles with Indians New-Eng. ii. 61 Such of the women as were gifted at knitting, and Sewing, were improved to make stockings, and garments. 1724 in H. S. Nourse Early Rec. Lancaster, Mass. (1884) 216 I endeavour to Improve the men constantly to the most advantage. 1789 B. Franklin Let. 26 Dec. in Writings (1987) 1174 He had been for more than 30 years improved as a Justice-of-Peace. This Use of the Word improved is peculiar to New England. 1798 J. Root Rep. Superior Court & Supreme Court of Errors 1 173 The witnesses improved in the former trial were admitted. 1829 Virginia Lit. Museum 30 Dec. 458/1 ‘To improve a schoolmaster.’ ‘to improve their children in labour &,c.’ New England. 1839 A. Paige Rep. Court of Chancery N.-Y. 7 138 The several parties interested in the Budlong lot under S. Stone's title were anxious to improve him as a witness. 1915 Rep. Supreme Court Vermont 88 230 The right of the respondent in that case to improve Rosenberg as a witness was challenged by the objection. f. transitive. U.S. To make use of (a place) (as or for something); to occupy for a purpose. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > inhabiting and dwelling > [verb (transitive)] wonOE erdeOE inwonea1300 inhabitc1374 indwell1382 occupya1387 biga1400 endwellc1420 possessc1450 purprise1481 people1490 dwell1520 accompany?c1525 replenishc1540 populate1578 habit1580 inhabitate1600 tenant1635 improvec1650 manure1698 the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > specifically a place improvec1650 c1650 S. More Wise Gospel-preacher 56 It follows not that these were places imployed or improved for Trayning, or preparing Persons for Gospel-preaching. 1677 W. Hubbard Narr. Troubles with Indians New-Eng. ii. 2 Other places adjoyning were soon after seized, and improved for Trading and fishing. 1751 in Rep. Rec. Commissioners Boston (1887) XVII. 259 Mr. Thomas Hunt occupied & improved a Blacksmith's Shop. 1782 in Rec. Colony Rhode Island (1864) IX. 512 That Josiah Flagg..have the liberty of improving the cellars under the state house in Providence, as repositories for the public stores. 1803 M. Cutler Jrnl. 1 Jan. in W. P. Cutler & J. P. Cutler Life, Jrnls. & Corr. M. Cutler (1888) II. 114 We found in the octagon hall, which seemed to be improved as a levee room, a large company. 1863 N. Hawthorne Our Old Home I. 117 It has come to base uses in these latter days,—being improved, in Yankee phrase, as a brewery and wash-room. †5. transitive. To increase the price or monetary value of. Obsolete.With reference to land and rent, cf. senses 2b, 1b. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > monetary value > be valued at [verb (transitive)] > increase value of enhance1542 improve1548 advantagec1613 appreciate1778 1548 J. Hales Let. 12 Aug. in MS BL Lansdowne 238 f. 324 Noble and gentle men whiche had not emprowed nor enhaunsed ther rentes. 1577 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Islande Brit. ii. x. f. 85^v/1, in R. Holinshed Chron. I Although peraduenture foure pounde of olde rent be improued to fourty or fiftye pound, yet will the farmer thinke his gaines very small. 1613 A. Standish New Direct. 23 All Grounds inclosed, and that heereafter may be inclosed, may be improoued three shillings and foure pence an Acre yearely. 1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 265 They improve their commodities to a treble price. 1792 J. G. Williams Cases in Equity (ed. 3) 199 The parties proposed to let a lease for sixty-one years, and to improve the rent from 16l. to 20l. 1831 Law Jrnl. 9 187/1 The defendant took down the brewhouse and erected several houses, and improved the rent from 120l. to 200l. per annum. 6. a. transitive. To raise to a better quality, condition, or standard; to bring into a more profitable or desirable state; to increase the value or excellence of; to make better.Now the usual sense. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (transitive)] beetc975 betterOE goodOE sharpa1100 amendc1300 enhance1526 meliorate1542 embetter1568 endeara1586 enrich1598 meliorize1598 mend1603 sweeten1607 improve1617 to work up1641 ameliorate1653 solace1667 fine1683 ragout1749 to make something of1778 richen1795 transcendentalize1846 to tone up1847 to do something (also things) for (also to)1880 rich1912 to step up1920 uprate1965 up1968 nice1993 1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 219 To himselfe, whose endeavours in that Kingdome had much improved her opinion of him. 1665 R. Boyle Disc. ii. ii, in Occas. Refl. sig. C1^v From Ethical or Theological Composures, to take out Lessons that may improve the Mind. 1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 182 The Mango (which they have improved in all its kinds to the utmost Perfection). 1733 P. Lindsay Interest Scotl. 167 The Reeds, Harness, Shuttles, and Temples,..lately given to the Weavers..have improven the Cloth in its Goodness much more. 1785 J. Adams Let. 10 Sept. in Wks. (1854) IX. 540 The social science will never be much improved, until the people unanimously know and consider themselves as the fountain of power. 1811 W. Marshall Rev. Rep. to Board Agric. from Eastern Dept. Eng. 270 Admitting that these lands may be improved, by drainage and alluviation. 1862 B. Brodie Psychol. Inq. II. ii. 50 The habit of attention may be improved by exercise. 1888 J. Inglis Tent Life Tigerland 184 The tobacco smoke had not improved his appearance, and..he..looked bad enough. 1939 E. M. Tilton Lett. R. W. Emerson III. 410 (note) Emerson also tried to improve his French by reading a newspaper in that language. 1950 Michiganensian 333 With spring came the landscape-architects' chance to improve the property. 1970 R. D. Ford Introd. Acoustics v. 98 Horns are also very useful for improving the performance of loudspeakers at low frequencies. 2003 Q News (Brisbane) 12 Dec. 18/2 Attaining a ‘pre-purchase approval’..can also improve your chances of getting the property that you want in a shorter time frame. b. intransitive. to improve on (also upon): to make or produce something better or greater than; to surpass. Cf. improvement n. 6c. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (intransitive)] amenda1393 to improve on1618 the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (transitive)] > improve upon amendc1330 to improve on (also upon)1618 refine1659 1618 S. Latham New & 2nd Bk. Falconrie Ep. Ded. The wings of my vndeseruing Muse (improued on with the good opinion of her Patron). 1662 J. Evelyn Sculptura i. iv. 35 As the invention grew older, refining and improving upon it. 1748 J. Geddes Ess. Composition Antients 362 Longinus here seems to have improven on the orator. 1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. lxvii. 305 The son has regularly improved upon the vices of his father. 1856 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire V. xlviii. 429 It was not beyond [his] means..to improve upon this political masterpiece. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 232/2 The sources of light have been improved on by the adoption of the oxy-calcium, oxy-hydrogen..and electric light. 1937 Amer. Home Apr. 104/2 Attempts to improve upon old-fashioned white lead paint for the most part have aimed at retarding chalking, checking and erosion. 2008 C. Q. Yarbro Dangerous Climate 104 You haven't the building, the equipment, the staff, or the physicians you would need to improve on what you have done. c. transitive. To make into something better or more advanced; to turn something into something else by means of improvements. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (transitive)] > improve into or out of a condition subtilize1653 improve1700 polish1712 1626 B. Holyday 3 Serm. 67 At his resurrection he improued carcasses into Saints. 1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ii. 103 A Self-sufficiency, that soon improved into Plenty. 1700 T. Brown Amusem. Serious & Comical vii. 76 Sometimes,..a Witty Vertuous Woman will improve a Dull Heavy Country Booby, into a Man of Sence. 1777 T. Campbell Philos. Surv. S. Ireland xliv. 452 The invention of the musical glasses, now improved into the harmonica. 1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. iv. iv. 155 Preparations..for improving the blockade into more expeditious methods of reduction. 1893 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. Aug. 255 He was improved into a knight some ten years since. 1920 Musical Q. 6 95 The dulcimer was improved into the clavichord by the substitution of keys for the hammers held in the player's hand. 2011 D. Webber How Firm Found. (2012) 767 We won't have to waste all that time tinkering and experimenting to improve it into a working proposition. d. transitive (reflexive). To raise oneself to a higher level morally, intellectually, or socially; to better oneself. ΚΠ 1629 W. Crosse tr. Sallust Warre of Iugurth i. in tr. Sallust Wks. 223 This young man..improued himselfe more and more. 1678 J. Gailhard Compl. Gentleman ii. 40 They who are Scholars and Travellers, to get either a livelihood, or a preferment, are most concerned to improve themselves. 1748 Biographia Britannica II. 1403 Being come to Paris, he improved himself there by the conversation of learned men. 1766 J. Fordyce Serm. Young Women II. viii. 80 [She] had from her youth improved herself by reading. 1847 District School Jrnl. N.Y. Dec. 151/1 Who ever heard of mechanics, or workmen, or clerks, or any other class of employed persons taking such measures to improve themselves? 1896 Publishers' Weekly 28 Nov. 95/2 An ambitious girl who wants to see the world and improve herself. 1952 L. Hanson & E. Hanson Marian Evans & George Eliot 110 He..urged her to improve herself by attending the new ‘Ladies College’. 2014 N.Z. Herald (Nexis) 13 Oct. I always wanted to improve myself, and I never hung around a job for too long; once the challenge was over, I was gone. e. intransitive. To increase in value or excellence; to become better. †to improve on (also upon) a person: to appear (gradually) better or more appealing to a person; to grow on a person (obsolete). ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (intransitive)] > improve or grow better betterOE goodOE risec1175 mend1546 meliorize1598 to mend one's hand1611 improve1642 meliorate1655 brighten1659 ameliorate1728 to look up1806 to tone up1881 raise1898 graduate1916 to shape up1938 1642 S. Hartlib tr. J. A. Comenius Reformation of Schooles 79 God..would therein prefigure the State of the Church, as it was to improve with time. 1652 W. Blith Eng. Improver Improved iv. 96 The best sort of Land of all will..Improve upon Grazing rather than lose. 1727 J. Swift Let. to very Young Lady in Misc. II. 332 It is a shame for an English Lady not to relish such Discourses, not to improve by them. 1737 S. Berington Mem. G. di Lucca 183 A Wine..mellowing and improving as it is kept. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. viii. 221 The relish improving upon them by degrees, they at last..preferred it to every other kind of food. 1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice III. iii. 61 But afterwards she seemed to improve on you. View more context for this quotation 1846 Farmer's Mag. Mar. 281/1 With February the weather improved. 1885 Manch. Examiner 14 May 5/3 Our trade in the south has..improved. 1920 A. Carnegie Autobiography vi. 77 During these years..the family fortunes had been steadily improving. 1964 Financial Times 23 Mar. 3/6 Norwegian kroner improved ⅛ ore to Kr.20.02⅛. 1983 Skiing Spring 39/1 As you improve, move to more difficult (blue-square) slopes and mogul fields. 2010 Ideal Home May (Living Room Ideas Suppl.) 38/1 The leather will only improve with age. 7. transitive. With away, off, or adverbial phrase of similar meaning. To cause to be lost, removed, eradicated, or spent as a result of making improvements. Frequently ironic. ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > remove or take away > by improvements improve1759 1759 W. Smith Disc. Public Occas. vi. 183 It were to be wished that, among all our other improvements, we had not too much improved away this pure primitive intercourse with the Father of Light and Spirits! 1780 Mirror No. 69. 274 My crops never paid for the expence of raising them; and..I found that I had improved away every shilling of my capital. 1853 F. Pulszky & T. Pulszky White, Red, Black i. 25 Under the rule of the United States, they [sc. the French Creoles] were ‘improved off’ by sharp Tennesseeans and Kentuckians. 1879 G. Meredith Egoist I. ix. 144 I believe that, with his gift of double-blossom, he [sc. the gardener] has improved away the fruit. 1887 J. Ball Notes Naturalist in S. Amer. 213 It is a question whether, like most native races..they will ultimately be improved out of existence. 1906 F. W. Hirst Arbiter in Council 291 It was the high duty..of Christians, sovereigns, and states not merely to improve warfare, but to improve it away. 1998 T. Luke in C. Toulouse & T. W. Luke Polit. Cyberspace 125 So much of what already exists will continue to be just as it is—only it will be improved out of the network. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † improvev.³ Forms: 1600s improue, 1600s–1700s 1900s improve. Origin: A variant or alteration of another lexical item. Etymon: approve v.¹ Etymology: Alteration (with prefix substitution: see im- prefix¹) of approve v.¹, perhaps by analogy with improve v.² beside approve v.²Compare the earlier isolated occurrence of enprovyd adjective, apparently as an alteration of approved adj. (see discussion of quot. 1474 at well-approved adj.). Obsolete. 1. a. transitive. To sanction, authorize; to accept. Cf. approve v.¹ 5. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > approve of, accept, or sanction [verb (transitive)] loveeOE underfoc1000 underfong?c1225 undertakea1250 provec1300 allowa1325 favour1340 approvec1380 seem?c1450 conprovec1503 avow1530 rectify1567 annuate1585 to be for1590 sancite1597 improve1603 applauda1616 acclamate1624 resenta1646 own1649 comprobate1660 sanction1797 likea1825 approbate1833 to hold with (arch. of, on, for)1895 agree1900 endorse1914 condone1962 1603 S. Harsnett Declar. Popish Impostures 111 According as they are improued, sublimate, and aduaunced by the authority of holy church of Rome. 1697 C. Leslie Snake in Grass (ed. 2) 90 Those who would improve this Principle..to justifie Immoralists. 1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi vii. v. 31/1 They that shall have too suddenly improved those Men, will be Partakers of their Sins. 1722 in Proc. Mass. Hist. Soc. (1919) 52 294 Voted..that Mr. Judah Monis be improved as an instructor of the Hebrew language in the College. b. intransitive. To approve of something. Now rare (English regional (Norfolk) in later use).In quot. 1883 representing the speech of a child. ΚΠ 1883 ‘D. Dale’ Spoilt Guy ii. 27 Why did you not tell him Barben was going away? Conceitful things! Guy doesn't improve of it. 1886 G. Tollet Country Conversat. 52 As for them Methodies, I hates 'em, with all them collections..and I have read in a book that John Wesley did not improve of their axing folks for money. 1892 J. C. Browne Encora 65 But I don't improve of it, Betsy... It goes against my grain. 1900 W. R. Eaton in Eng. Dial. Dict. II. 311/1 [Norfolk] I don't improve of such conduct, I don't. 2. a. intransitive. To prove or turn out to be. Cf. approve v.¹ 4c. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > prove, demonstrate [verb (intransitive)] > be proved to be provec1300 verifya1387 approve1587 improve1612 bear1710 to turn up1756 to turn out1780 wash1849 1612 J. Davies Discouerie Causes Ireland 95 Meanes for some great action which..if hee had liued, woulde rather haue improued [1664 proved] a iourny into Fraunce, then into Ireland. b. transitive. To prove, establish, demonstrate; to show to be true or real. Cf. approve v.¹ 1. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > prove, demonstrate [verb (transitive)] i-sothea925 soothec950 fanda1000 kitheOE betell1048 showc1175 prove?c1225 treousec1275 stablisha1325 approve1340 verifyc1386 justifya1393 tryc1412 answer?a1425 appreve?c1450 to make gooda1470 convictc1475 averifyc1503 arguea1513 find1512 pree1515 comprobate1531 demonstrate1538 conclude1549 convince1555 argument1558 evict1571 avoucha1593 evidencea1601 remonstrate1601 clear1605 attaint1609 monstrate1609 evince1610 evince1611 improve1613 remonstrance1621 to make out1653 ascertain1670 to bring off1674 to make (something) to through1675 render1678 substantiatea1691 establisha1704 to bring out1727 realize1763 validate1775 1613 T. Lorkin Let. 24 June in R. F. Williams Birch's Court & Times James I (1848) (modernized text) I. 246 I..will hope to improve my industry and diligence such as you shall find no fault to complain that ever you reposed in me that trust which you have done. 1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 137 Doe thou shew, and improve this love of thine to me, in this one point. 1670 E. Borlase Latham Spaw 8 More..I am perswaded than Mr. Hooke in his Book hath improved to admiration. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online December 2020). < v.¹c1443v.²1461v.³1603
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