aprimorate

== English == === Etymology === From Portuguese aprimorar +‎ -ate (verb-forming suffix), as a mistranslation by Portuguese speakers. The earliest known use is in a 1988 Brazilian thesis (see the quotation), although it has likely been re-formed independently on multiple occasions. Aprimorar is derived from a- (causal prefix) + primor (“excellence; perfection”, from Latin prīmōris (“first”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *preh₂- (“before; in front”)) + -ar (impersonal infinitive suffix). The alternative spelling apprimorate is likely due to its resemblance to other Latinate verbs such as approve. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, General American) enPR: əprĭm′ərāt′, IPA(key): /əˈpɹɪməˌɹeɪt/ Hyphenation: aprim‧o‧rate === Verb === aprimorate (third-person singular simple present aprimorates, present participle aprimorating, simple past and past participle aprimorated) (transitive, non-native speakers' English) To raise (something) to a better state; to elevate, to improve, to refine. Synonyms: sublimate; see also Thesaurus:improve ==== Usage notes ==== The term is almost exclusively used by Portuguese speakers. ==== Alternative forms ==== apprimorate ==== Related terms ==== aprimoration ==== Translations ==== === References ===