incrēmentum, i, n. [incresco], growth, increase, augmentation (class.).
I Lit., of plants and animals: quid ego vitium satus, ortus, incrementa commemorem? Cic. Sen. 15, 52: ponendae sunt plantae majoris incrementi, Pall. Feb. 24, 7; 25, 22: parvi incrementi animalia, Col. 8, 15, 6 al. —
B Transf.
1 Concr., i. q. suboles, progeny or foster-child (poet.): magnum Jovis, Verg. E. 4, 49; so of recruits: incremento novari, Curt. 5, 1, 23; cf. poet.: supponere vipereos dentes, populi incrementa futuri, Ov. M. 3, 103.—
2 That which promotes growth (late Lat.): alitudo (est) incrementum corporis, alimentum incrementum infantis, Fronto , p. 2198 P.—
II Trop., increase , augmentation , increment , addition : summo bono afferre incrementum, Cic. Fin. 2, 27, 88: virtus tua semper in incremento erit, Curt. 9, 3: illis incrementis (dignitatis), fecit viam, Vell. 2, 51: injuriae, quarum in dies incremento bellum exarsit, Liv. 40, 58, 2: multitudinis, id. 21, 7, 3: existimatus initium et causa incrementorum patri fuisse, Suet. Vit. 3: magnorum praefectorum et ducum haec incrementa sunt et rudimenta, i. e. the young sons of persons of distinction , who grew up to be prefects and generals , Curt. 5, 1, 24: domus, additions to one’s estate , Juv. 14, 259.— As a rhet. fig., an advancing from weaker to stronger expressions , an ascending towards a climax (Gr. αὔξησις), Quint. 8, 4, 3; id. ib. § 28.