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.
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.
To aggravate the horrors of the scene. --Prescott.
The defense made by the prisoner's counsel did
rather aggravate than extenuate his crime.
--Addison.
3. To give coloring to in description; to exaggerate; as, to
aggravate circumstances. --Paley.
4. To exasperate; to provoke; to irritate. [Colloq.]
If both were to aggravate her parents, as my brother
and sister do mine. --Richardson
(Clarissa).
Syn: To heighten; intensify; increase; magnify; exaggerate;
provoke; irritate; exasperate.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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