im·prove /ɪmˈpruv/
(vt.)使更好,改善,增進;利用(vi.)變得更好;增加
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.
We take care to improve in our frugality and diligence. --Atterbury.
2. To advance or progress in bad qualities; to grow worse. “Domitian improved in cruelty.”
3. To increase; to be enhanced; to rise in value; as, the price of cotton improves.
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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Im·prove v. t.
1. To disprove or make void; to refute. [Obs.]
Neither can any of them make so strong a reason which another can not improve. --Tyndale.
2. To disapprove; to find fault with; to reprove; to censure; as, to improve negligence. [Obs.]
When he rehearsed his preachings and his doing unto the high apostles, they could improve nothing. --Tyndale.
Im·prove, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Improved p. pr. & vb. n. Improving.]
1. To make better; to increase the value or good qualities of; to ameliorate by care or cultivation; as, to improve land.
I love not to improve the honor of the living by impairing that of the dead. --Denham.
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.
We shall especially honor God by improving diligently the talents which God hath committed to us. --Barrow.
A hint that I do not remember to have seen opened and improved. --Addison.
The court seldom fails to improve the opportunity. --Blackstone.
How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour. --I. Watts.
Those moments were diligently improved. --Gibbon.
True policy, as well as good faith, in my opinion, binds us to improve the occasion. --Washington.
3. To advance or increase by use; to augment or add to; -- said with reference to what is bad. [R.]
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.
improve
v 1: to make better; "The editor improved the manuscript with his
changes" [syn: better, amend, ameliorate, meliorate]
[ant: worsen]
2: get better; "The weather improved toward evening" [syn: better,
ameliorate, meliorate] [ant: worsen]