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INTENSIFIER
INTENSIFIER. In GRAMMAR, a WORD that has a heightening effect (very in very large) or a lowering effect (slightly in slightly fat) on the meaning of the word that it modifies. Words that can be modified in this way are said to be gradable. Intensifying adjectives modify nouns (great in a great fool). Intensifying adverbs mainly modify verbs (greatly in greatly admire), gradable adjectives (extremely in extremely foolish), and other adverbs (somewhat in somewhat slowly). Some intensifiers go with certain gradable words: entirely with agree, deeply with worried, highly with intelligent. See COLLOCATION, IDIOM.
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Cite this article
TOM McARTHUR. "INTENSIFIER." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. TOM McARTHUR. "INTENSIFIER." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O29-INTENSIFIER.html TOM McARTHUR. "INTENSIFIER." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O29-INTENSIFIER.html |
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intensifier
intensifier •sapphire • backfire • campfire
•shellfire • ceasefire • misfire • spitfire
•speechifier
•humidifier, solidifier
•modifier • codifier • amplifier
•vilifier
•mollifier, qualifier
•nullifier • magnifier • indemnifier
•signifier • personifier • unifier
•typifier • stupefier
•clarifier, scarifier
•terrifier, verifier
•gentrifier • glorifier • purifier
•classifier, pacifier
•specifier • intensifier • crucifier
•emulsifier • versifier
•gratifier, ratifier
•sanctifier • identifier • testifier
•prettifier • quantifier • fortifier
•beautifier • stultifier • justifier
•liquefier • wildfire • watchfire
•bonfire • crossfire • bushfire • gunfire
•surefire • lammergeier • multiplier
•outlier • Niemeyer • quagmire
•vampire • empire • occupier • umpire
•hairdryer • prophesier • satire
•Blantyre • saltire • haywire • tripwire
•retrochoir • underwire
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Cite this article
"intensifier." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "intensifier." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-intensifier.html "intensifier." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-intensifier.html |
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