AGGRAVATE

AG'GRAVATE, verb transitive [Latin aggravo, of ad and gravis, heavy. See Grave, Gravity.]1. To make heavy, but not used in this literal sense. Figuratively, to make worse, more severe, or less tolerable; as, to aggravate the evils of life; to aggravate pain or punishment.2. To make more enormous, or less excusable; as, to aggravate a crime.3. To exaggerate.4. To give coloring in description; to give an exaggerated representation; as, to aggravate a charge against an offender; to aggravate circumstances.The propriety of the word in the latter passage is questionable. aggravate is generally used in reference to evils, or something improper or unnatural.

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aggravate. Aggravate, v.t. to make worse, or more severe, used of evils only

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Ag″gra‐vate (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Aggravated (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Aggravating.] [[L. aggravatus, p. p. of aggravare. See Aggrieve.]] 1. 1. To make heavy or heavier; to add to; to increase. “To aggravate thy store.” Shak.
2. 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. 3. To give coloring to in description; to exaggerate; as, to aggravate circumstances. Paley.
4. 4. To exasperate; to provoke; to irritate.
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.