increaser
(ɪnˈkriːsə(r))
[f. increase v. + -er1.]
One who or that which increases.
1. One who or that which augments or makes greater; an agent that causes something to grow, a ‘breeder’ (of something).
| 1528 Paynel Salerne's Regim. H, This strange wyne is special encreacer of the spiritis. 1572 J. Bossewell Armorie ii. 124 Luna, the riper and encreaser of fruites. 1624 Capt. Smith Virginia iv. 155 These crosses and losses were no small increasers of his malady. 1756 Burke Vind. Nat. Soc. Wks. 1842 I. 6 Such a nurse and increaser of blessings. 1893 J. J. Modi in Barrows Parlt. Relig. II. 901 Ahura-Mazda,..He is the creator as well as the destroyer, the increaser as well as the decreaser. |
2. One who advances or promotes. Obs. or arch.
| 1618 Beaum. & Fl. Valentin. v. viii, A lover, and encreaser of his people. 1631 Weever Anc. Fun. Mon. 384 Honourable increasers, Rulers and preseruers of all such matters which conduce to Christian pietie. 1851 Sir F. Palgrave Norm. & Eng. I. 258 The Epithet..Encreaser of the Empire. 1858 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. ii. ix. I. 101 A notable increaser of his House. |
† 3. (With qualifying adj.) An animal or plant that multiplies (greatly, etc.). Obs.
| 1665 Rea Flora 96 The Virginia spider wort is a great increaser, and thereby growes common in almost every garden. 1704 Collect. Voy. & Trav. III. 46/1 The greatest Encreasers are the Guanaco's. 1727 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Hollow-root, They are great increasers even in any Soil, but like Sandy best. |
† 4. Lat. Gram. A noun that ‘increases’ in the genitive: see increase v. 5. Obs.
| 1612 Brinsley Lud. Lit. 139 Puer pueri, is a graue increaser, and therefore of the Masculine Gender. |