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v. in·flat·ed, in·flat·ing, in·flates v.tr. 1. To fill (something) with air or gas so as to make it swell: inflated the balloon with helium. 2. a. To fill with pride; aggrandize: positive reviews that inflated the actor's ego. b. To represent as greater or more important than is in fact the case: inflated the box office receipts to mislead the investors. See Synonyms at exaggerate. 3. To cause (a currency or economy) to undergo inflation. v.intr. To become inflated. [Middle English inflaten, from Latin īnflāre, īnflāt- : in-, in; see IN-2 + flāre, to blow; see bhlē- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] in·flator, in·flater n. |
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