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inflate

in·flate [ in fláyt ] (past and past participle in·flat·ed, present participle in·flat·ing, 3rd person present singular in·flates)


transitive and intransitive verb 
Definition:
 
1. expand with air: to fill something such as a ball, mattress, tire, or boat with air or gas to bring it to the proper size, shape, and firmness for use, or to become filled with air or gas

2. make something appear greater: to exaggerate the size or importance of something, or become exaggerated in size or importance

3. economics increase prices or money supply: to cause inflation in prices or the money supply, or undergo inflation

[15th century. < Latin inflat-, past participle of inflare "blow into" < flare "to blow"]

in·fla·tor noun
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