Richen

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To make something fuller, deeper, or more abundant in flavor, color, or value over time
2. Enhancing something so that it becomes more intense, luxurious, or substantial than before
3. Adding quality, depth, or wealth to a thing so that it grows more rich in character

Etymology: "Richen" is simply "rich" with the verb-forming suffix "-en," which English has used to turn adjectives into verbs since Old English, as in "whiten," "harden," and "soften." The suffix passed down through Middle English as "-en" and was added to the adjective "rich" to make a verb meaning to make rich or to enrich. The verb's specific sense, to improve the flavour of something, follows naturally from that general meaning: a dish or drink is made "richer" when it gains fat, sugar, or depth, and "richen" names that change. The word is a straightforward formation rather than a borrowing, so its history lies in the suffix and the adjective it is built on.

Synonyms: enrich, enhance, improve, augment, fortify

Antonyms: impoverish, deplete, diminish