v. [a recent formation (not in Johnson, 1773), after the earlier MELIORATE q.v., on Fr. améliorer, refashioned from OFr. ameillorer to make better, f. à to + meillorer:—L. meliōrāre, f. melior better.]
1. trans. To make better; to better, improve.
1767. [See AMELIORATING].
1779. Swinburne, Trav. Spain, xxxvi. 312 (T.). His humanity must exult at the probability of their lot being so much ameliorated.
1813. Sir H. Davy, Agric. Chem., 203. A sterile soil … may be ameliorated by the application of quick lime.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 279. In every human being there is a wish to ameliorate his own condition.
1879. De Quatrefages’ Hum. Spec. 70. Our gardeners and breeders … ameliorate from their point of view the plants and animals in which they are interested.
2. intr. To grow better.
1789–96. Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 626. The state of things is rapidly ameliorating.
1882. Geikie, in Macm. Mag., March, 365/2. [Man] … would find his way back as the climate ameliorated.
