aggrandize

 
Pronunciation: /əˈgrandʌɪz/
(also aggrandise)

verb

[with object]
  • increase the power, status, or wealth of: an action intended to aggrandize the Frankish dynasty
  • enhance the reputation of (someone) beyond what is justified by the facts: he hoped to aggrandize himself by dying a hero’s death

Derivatives

aggrandizement

noun

aggrandizer

noun

Origin:

mid 17th century (in the general sense 'increase, magnify'): from French agrandiss-, lengthened stem of agrandir, probably from Italian aggrandire, from Latin grandis 'large'. The ending was changed by association with verbs ending in -ize