Meliorate
/ˈmiːliəˌreɪt/noun
To make something better or improve it.
Did you know?Meliorate comes from Latin *melior* (“better”), and that same ancient root also gave us *mellifluous*, *meliorism*, and the idea of “the better part” in older English and Latin texts.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mel-
“A root associated with being strong, good, or better in comparative formations.”
Latin
Latin
melior
“Better; the comparative form used to express superiority or improvement.”
Late Latin
Latin
meliorare
“To make better, improve.”
14th Century
Old French
meliorer
“To improve or make more valuable.”
16th Century
English
meliorate
“To make better or improve in quality or condition.”
Modern English
English
meliorate
“To improve something, especially gradually or partially.”
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