Embetter

/ɪmˈbɛtər/ verb

Definition

An archaic or rare verb meaning to make something better or to improve.

Etymology

From em- (prefix meaning 'to cause to be') plus 'better' (comparative of good). While the construction is logical in English, this word is almost entirely obsolete, replaced by the simpler 'improve.'

Kelly Says

Words like 'embetter' show how English once had tons of em- prefixed verbs ('embolden,' 'enlarge,' 'enrich'), but we've gradually dropped the em- versions in favor of simpler synonyms, making our language less flexible but easier to learn.

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