Search the Dictionary

represented as much greater or less, better or worse, than they really are; a statement exaggerated fancifully, through excitement, or for effect. Our common forms of compliment are almost all of them extravagant hyperboles. Blair. Somebody has said of the boldest figure in rhetoric, the hyperbole, that it lies without…

Exaggerated; excessive; hyperbolical. [Obs.] Hyperthetical or superlative . . . expression. Chapman.

ccurring almost exclusively in women, in which the emotional and reflex excitability is exaggerated, and the will power correspondingly diminished, so that the patient loses control over the emotions, becomes the victim of imaginary sensations, and often falls into paroxism or fits.

To exaggerate; to enlarge upon. [Obs.] A friend exaggerates a man's virtues, an enemy inflames his crimes. Addison.

To exaggerate; as, to magnify a loss or a difficulty. To magnify one's self (Script.), to exhibit pride and haughtiness; to boast. -- To magnify one's self against (Script.), to oppose with pride.

Springing from true sentiment; not artifical or exaggerated; -- said of action, delivery, etc.; as, a natural gesture, tone, etc.

An exaggerated fear of death or horror of dead bodies.

To act or perform to excess; to exaggerate in acting; as, he overacted his part.

To exaggerate; as, to overcharge a description. Overcharged mine. (Mil.) See Globe of compression, under Globe.

To do too much; to exceed what is proper or true in doing; to exaggerate; to carry too far. Anything so overdone is from the purpose of playing. Shak.

To exaggerate; to overdo.

To drive on rashly; to go to excess; hence, to exaggerate; to boast. [Obs.] Barrow.

To state in too strong terms; to exaggerate. Fuller.

An exaggerated statement or account.

An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially one in a public journal. Puff adder. (Zoöl.) (a) Any South African viper belonging to Clotho and allied genera. They are exceedingly venomous, and have the power of greatly distending their bodies when irritated. The common puff adder (Vipera, or Clotho, arietans…

In a puffing manner; with vehement breathing or shortness of breath; with exaggerated praise.

An exaggerated estimate of one's own importance or merit, esp. as manifested by the conduct or manners; self-conceit.

Having or manifesting an exaggerated idea of one's own importance or merit.

n in a reproachful sense. A sentimental mind is rather prone to overwrought feeling and exaggerated tenderness. Whately.

aturally low and grave; hollow in tone; -- said of sound, especially of the voice. This exaggerated dulling of the voice . . . giving what is commonly called a sepulchral tone. H. Sweet.