1. [n]  the act of increasing something; "he gave me an increase in salary"
2. [n]  the amount by which something increases; "they proposed an increase of 15 percent in the fare"
3. [n]  a change resulting in an increase; "the increase is scheduled for next month"
4. [n]  a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important; "the increase in unemployment"; "the growth of population"
5. [n]  a quantity that is added; "there was an addition to property taxes this year"; "they recorded the cattle's gain in weight over a period of weeks"
6. [v]  make bigger or more; "The boss finally increased her salary"
7. [v]  become bigger or greater in amount; "The amount of work increased"

Increase
In this book, which won the Associated Writing Program`s Award for Creative Nonfiction, a young mother provides a collection of lyrical essays that explore the challenges of pregnancy and the first year of motherhood. By identifying her emotions every day of her pregnancy, she invites readers into her mind to realize her fears, hopes, and dreams of having her first baby.

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1. \In*crease"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Increased}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Increasing}.] [OE. incresen, encresen, enrescen, OF.
   encreistre, fr. L. increscere; pref. in- in + crescere to
   grow. See {Crescent}, and cf. {Decrease}.]
   1. To become greater or more in size, quantity, number,
      degree, value, intensity, power, authority, reputation,
      wealth; to grow; to augment; to advance; -- opposed to
      {decrease}.
            The waters increased and bare up the ark. --Gen.
                                                  vii. 17.
            He must increase, but I must decrease. --John iii.
                                                  30.
            The heavens forbid But that our loves and comforts
            should increase, Even as our days do grow! --Shak.
   2. To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile,
      fruitful, or prolific.
            Fishes are more numerous of increasing than beasts
            or birds, as appears by their numerous spawn. --Sir
                                                  M. Hale.
   3. (Astron.) To become more nearly full; to show more of the
      surface; to wax; as, the moon increases.
   {Increasing function} (Math.), a function whose value
      increases when that of the variable increases, and
      decreases when the latter is diminished.
   Syn: To enlarge; extend; multiply; expand; develop; heighten;
        amplify; raise; enhance; spread; aggravate; magnify;
        augment; advance.
   Usage: To {Increase}, {Enlarge}, {Extend}. Enlarge implies to
          make larger or broader in size. Extend marks the
          progress of enlargement so as to have wider
          boundaries. Increase denotes enlargement by growth and
          internal vitality, as in the case of plants. A kingdom
          is enlarged by the addition of new territories; the
          mind is enlarged by knowledge. A kingdom is extended
          when its boundaries are carried to a greater distance
          from the center. A man's riches, honors, knowledge,
          etc., are increased by accessions which are made from
          time to time.
   

2. \In*crease"\, v. t.
   To augment or make greater in bulk, quantity, extent, value,
   or amount, etc.; to add to; to extend; to lengthen; to
   enhance; to aggravate; as, to increase one's possessions,
   influence.
         I will increase the famine.              --Ezek. v. 16.
         Make denials Increase your services.     --Shak.
   

3. \In"crease\ (?; 277), n. [OE. encres, encresse. See
   {Increase}, v. i.]
   1. Addition or enlargement in size, extent, quantity, number,
      intensity, value, substance, etc.; augmentation; growth.
            As if increase of appetite had grown By what if fed
            on.                                   --Shak.
            For things of tender kind for pleasure made Shoot up
            with swift increase, and sudden are decay'd.
                                                  --Dryden.
   2. That which is added to the original stock by augmentation
      or growth; produce; profit; interest.
            Take thou no usury of him, or increase. --Lev. xxv.
                                                  36.
            Let them not live to taste this land's increase.
                                                  --Shak.
   3. Progeny; issue; offspring.
            All the increase of thy house shall die in the
            flower of their age.                  --1 Sam. ii.
                                                  33.
   4. Generation. [Obs.] ``Organs of increase.'' --Shak.
   5. (Astron.) The period of increasing light, or luminous
      phase; the waxing; -- said of the moon.
            Seeds, hair, nails, hedges, and herbs will grow
            soonest if set or cut in the increase of the moon.
                                                  --Bacon.
   {Increase twist}, the twixt of a rifle groove in which the
      angle of twist increases from the breech to the muzzle.
   Syn: Enlargement; extension; growth; development; increment;
        addition; accession; production.