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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Improve \Im*prove"\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Improved}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Improving}.] [Pref. in- in + prove, in approve. See {Approve}, {Prove.}]
1. To make better; to increase the value or good qualities of; to ameliorate by care or cultivation; as, to improve land. --Donne.
I love not to improve the honor of the living by impairing that of the dead. --Denham.
2. To use or employ to good purpose; to make productive; to turn to profitable account; to utilize; as, to improve one's time; to improve his means. --Shak.
We shall especially honor God by improving diligently the talents which God hath committed to us. --Barrow.
A hint that I do not remember to have seen opened and improved. --Addison.
The court seldom fails to improve the opportunity. --Blackstone.
How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour. --I. Watts.
Those moments were diligently improved. --Gibbon.
True policy, as well as good faith, in my opinion, binds us to improve the occasion. --Washington.
3. To advance or increase by use; to augment or add to; -- said with reference to what is bad. [R.]
We all have, I fear, . . . not a little improved the wretched inheritance of our ancestors. --Bp. Porteus.
Syn: To better; meliorate; ameliorate; advance; heighten; mend; correct; rectify; amend; reform.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
improved \improved\ adjective
1. advanced to a more desirable or valuable or excellent state. Opposite of {unimproved}. [Narrower terms: {built, reinforced}; {cleared, tilled ; {developed}; {grade ; {graded, graveled ] Also See: {restored}. [WordNet 1.5]
2. changed for the better; as, her improved behavior.
Syn: amended. [WordNet 1.5]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
improved
adjective
1: made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing; "new houses are springing up on an improved tract of land near the river"; "an improved breed" [ant: {unimproved}]
2: become or made better in quality; "was proud of his improved grades"; "an improved viewfinder"
3: (of land) made ready for development or agriculture by clearing of trees and brush; "improved farmlands"
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
40 Moby Thesaurus words for "improved": advanced, altered, ameliorated, beautified, better, bettered, changeable, changed, civilized, converted, cultivated, cultured, degenerate, developed, deviant, divergent, educated, embellished, enhanced, enriched, metamorphosed, metastasized, modified, mutant, perfected, polished, qualified, rebuilt, refined, reformed, renewed, revived, revolutionary, subversive, transfigured, transformed, translated, transmuted, unmitigated, worse
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