See Also: inflate(1)(dictionary)
inflate(2)(dictionary)
inflate(dictionary)

inflate(2) (iou)



inflate verb. LME.
[Latin inflat- pa. ppl stem of inflare, formed as IN-2 + flare to blow: see -ATE3.]
verb trans. Distend by filling with air or gas; gen. swell, distend. LME.
S. Bellow A beach ball you inflated with your breath.
verb trans. Puff up with or with pride, vanity, satisfaction, etc.; elate. M16.
J. Porter Character that prosperity could not inflate, nor adversity depress.
verb trans. Increase greatly or beyond accepted limits; spec. (Economics) bring about inflation in relation to (a currency, an economy), raise (prices) artificially. M19.
W. S. Jevons Prices and credit mutually inflate each other. C. Hope The enemies of our country like nothing better than to inflate the figures of those killed.
b. verb intrans. Resort to (monetary) inflation; undergo (excessive) increase or monetary inflation. M20.
Daily Telegraph In these days of rapidly inflating house prices. Weekend Australian A permanent population of 25,000 which inflates to 100,000 during holiday periods.
inflatable adjective & noun (a) adjective able to be blown up or filled with air or gas; (b) noun an inflatable dinghy, toy, etc.: L19.
inflated adjective (a) that has been distended or inflated; esp. (of language) turgid, bombastic; (b) Zoology & Botany having a bulging form and hollow interior, as if filled with air: L16.
inflatedness noun M19.
inflater,
inflator nouns a person who or thing which inflates something; spec. an air-pump for inflating tyres etc.: L19.