accrescere

Accrescere is an Italian verb meaning to increase, to grow, or to augment in size, amount, or degree. It can be used transitively, taking a direct object (accrescere qualcosa), or intransitively, when the subject undergoes growth (la popolazione è accresciuta). In many contexts it denotes a quantitative or qualitative rise, rather than a mere temporary increase.

Etymology: the verb derives from Latin acrescere, formed with ad- plus crescere, meaning to grow toward or to increase.

Conjugation and forms: accrescere belongs to the third conjugation of -ere verbs. It is irregular in some present forms: io accresco, tu accresci, lui/lei accresce, noi accresciamo, voi accrescete, loro accrescono. The past participle is accresciuto; the gerund is accrescendo. The auxiliary used in compound tenses depends on the sense: transitive uses avere (ha accresciuto le entrate), while intransitive or passive uses essere (la popolazione è accresciuta).

Usage and nuances: accrescere is common in economics, demographics, medicine, agriculture, and statistics to express growth in quantities or quality. It is often preferred to aumentare when the emphasis is on the amount, whereas crescere more often denotes growth of the subject or process. Examples: La popolazione è accresciuta del 5% quest’anno. Le vendite hanno accresciuto i profitti dell’azienda. Il potenziale accresce con investimenti mirati.

Related terms: accrescimento (increase, growth), accrescente (increasing, as a present participle), crescita, aumentare.