Inflate — In*flate , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Inflated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Inflating}.] 1. To swell or distend with air or gas; to dilate; to expand; to enlarge; as, to inflate a bladder; to inflate the lungs. [1913 Webster] When passion s tumults in the bosom… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
inflate — in‧flate [ɪnˈfleɪt] verb [intransitive, transitive] ECONOMICS if the cost or level of something inflates or is inflated, it increases, often above what is reasonable or normal: • Overseas sales were inflated by the depreciation of the yen. •… … Financial and business terms
Inflate — In*flate , p. a. [L. inflatus, p. p. of inflare to inflate; pref. in in + flare to blow. See {Blow} to puff wind.] Blown in; inflated. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Inflate — can refer to: * Inflation, or price inflation, is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services over time * Monetary inflation is a rise in the quantity of money in an economy * Cosmic inflation, the theory relating to the expansion … Wikipedia
inflate — (v.) early 15c., cause to swell, from L. inflatus, pp. of inflare to blow into, inflate (see INFLATION (Cf. inflation)). Economics sense from 1844. In some senses a back formation from inflation. Related: Inflatable; inflated; inflating … Etymology dictionary
inflate — [in flāt′] vt. inflated, inflating [< L inflatus, pp. of inflare, to blow into, inflate < in , in + flare, to BLOW1] 1. to blow full or swell out as with air or gas; distend; expand; dilate 2. to raise in spirits; make proud or elated 3. to … English World dictionary
Inflate — In*flate , v. i. To expand; to fill; to distend. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
inflate — distend, swell, *expand, amplify, dilate Analogous words: enlarge, increase, augment: magnify, aggrandize, *exalt Antonyms: deflate Contrasted words: *contract, compress, shrink, condense, constrict … New Dictionary of Synonyms
inflate — [v] blow up, increase aerate, aggrandize, amplify, augment, balloon*, beef up*, bloat, boost, build up, cram*, dilate, distend, enlarge, escalate, exaggerate, exalt, expand, flesh out*, magnify, maximize, overestimate, pad*, puff up*, pump up*,… … New thesaurus
inflate — ► VERB 1) expand by filling with air or gas. 2) increase by a large or excessive amount. 3) exaggerate. 4) bring about inflation of (a currency) or in (an economy). ORIGIN Latin inflare blow into … English terms dictionary
