improve: [16] The -prove of improve has no direct connection with the verb prove, although the two have come to resemble each other over the centuries. It comes ultimately from late Latin prōde ‘advantageous’ (source of English proud). This gave Old French prou ‘profit’, which was combined in Anglo-Norman with the causative prefix em- to produce the verb emprouer. This originally meant ‘turn to a profit, turn to one’s advantage’, a sense which survives in English in one or two fossilized contexts such as ‘improve the shining hour’. Modern English ‘make or get better’ developed in the 17th century. => proud
improve (v.)
late 15c., "to use to one's profit, to increase (income)," from Anglo-French emprouwer "to turn to profit" (late 13c.), from Old French en-, causative prefix, + prou "profit," from Latin prode "advantageous" (see proud). Spelling with -v- was rare before 17c. Meaning "to raise to a better quality or condition" first recorded 1610s. Phrase improve the occasion retains the etymological sense. Meaning "to turn land to profit" (by clearing it, erecting buildings, etc.) was in Anglo-French (13c.) and was retained in the American colonies.
双语例句
1. You can improve your chances of profit by sensible planning.
你可以通过合理计划来提高盈利的机会。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Massage is used to relax muscles, relieve stress and improve the circulation.
按摩可以使肌肉放松，缓解压力和促进血液循环。
来自柯林斯例句
3. To improve hand-eye co-ordination, practise throwing and catching balls.
要想提高手眼协调能力，就练习投球和接球。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Lights clipped onto life jackets improve the chances of rescue.
别在救生衣上的灯提高了获救可能性。
来自柯林斯例句
5. As soon as relations improve they will be allowed to go.
