IMPROVING
improving, up
(adjective) getting higher or more vigorous; “its an up market”; “an improving economy”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Adjective
improving (comparative more improving, superlative most improving)
That tends to improve someone or something (especially (dated) to educate or morally better a person).
Synonyms
• edifying
• uplifting
Verb
improving
present participle of improve
Source: Wiktionary
Im*prov"ing, a.
Definition: Tending to improve, beneficial; growing better.
– Im*prov"ing*ly, adv. Improving lease (Scots Law), an extend lease
to induce the tenant to make improvements on the premises.
IMPROVE
Im*prove", v. t. Etym: [Pref. im- not + prove: cf. L. improbare, F.
improuver.]
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.] Chapman.
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.]
Etym: [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.
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. Shak.
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 oppotunity. 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; recify; amend; reform.
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. "Domitain
improved in cruelty." Milner.
3. To increase; to be enhanced; to rise in value; as, the price of
cotton improves. To improve on or upon, to make useful additions or
amendments to, or changes in; to bring nearer to perfection; as, to
improve on the mode of tillage.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition