Also 5 agrauacion. [Prob. a. Fr. aggravation (Cotgr., 1611) ad. L. aggravātiōn-em, n. of action f. aggravā-re: see AGGRAVATE a.]
† 1. The laying on of burdens, oppression. Obs.
1481. Caxton, Myrrour, III. x. 153. Nature may not suffre … the sodeyn agrauacions ne griefs, of whiche by their folyes they trauaylle nature.
† 2. The charging as an offence; accusation. Obs.
1647. May, Hist. Parl., I. ix. 112. Severall Members were appointed to present those particular charges … which they all did, making large speeches in aggravation of their crimes.
1675. Baxter, Cath. Theol., II. i. 212. I only answer your aggravation of uncomfortableness of their Doctrine.
3. Eccles. (See quot.)
1611. Cotgr., Aggravation … a curse, excommunication, or execration denounced against an obstinate offender.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., Aggravation, in the Romish canon-law, is particularly used for an ecclesiastical censure, threatening an excommunication, after three admonitions used in vain. Ibid. From Aggravation they proceed to re-aggravation; which is the last excommunication.
1864. Kirk, Chas. the Bold, I. II. iv. 583. The Church was invited … to hurl its interdicts, excommunications, ‘aggravations’ and ‘re-aggravations.’
4. A making heavier, graver or more heinous; the fact of being increased in gravity or seriousness.
1615. T. Adams, White Devill, 4. Thus the aggregation of circumstances is the aggravation of offences.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., 473. Though in way of Aggravation of their crime, it be said, that they also worshipped the Creature more than the Creator.
1801. Wellesley, Desp., 203. None of these evils have been diminished … their daily increase and aggravation are notorious.
1833. I. Taylor, Fanat., § 6. 206. Circumstances so unfavourable to virtue … could hardly admit aggravation.
1851. Mariotti, Italy, 11. The consequent aggravation of hard, senseless, suspicious despotism.
1855. Ess. Intuitive Mor., 38. Then eternal punishment would be too great for any multiplication or aggravation of sins.
† 5. Making the most of (in a bad sense); exaggeration. Obs.
1628. Wither, Brit. Rememb., II. 2173. But, I from aggravations will forbeare.
1699. Bentley, Phalaris, Pref. 33. Rhetorical aggravations above the naked and strict Truth.
1743. Tindal, trans. Rapin’s Hist., II. XVII. 73. It might be thought, Buchanan, who hated the queen, has used aggravation, if what happened afterwards did not too evidently confirm what he said.
6. fam. The action of exasperating, or irritating.
† 7. A circumstance that renders more weighty or important. Obs. in the general sense.
1653. Baxter, Saints’ Rest, IV. ix. (1662), 745. Consider of the several aggravations of the mercy of the Spirit enabling thee thereto.
b. esp. ‘An extrinsic circumstance or accident, which increases the guilt of a crime, or the misery of a calamity.’ J.
1552–5. Latimer, Serm. & Rem. (1845), 351. Not any new indisposition, but one of old standing, though lately increased by fresh aggravations.
1651. Baxter, Inf. Bapt., 174. What a hainous aggravation of their sin it is, that they commit it after Baptism.
1791. T. Paine, Rights of Man (ed. 4), 135. It is no relief, but an aggravation to a person in slavery, to reflect that he was sold by his parent.
1855. Bain, Senses & Intell., II. ii. § 11 (1864), 134. Confinement is the chief aggravation of all those impurities.
