improve Copy link Outline I. To make better1. expr. by mĕlior, with a verb2. ēmendo, 1 (implying the existence of actual fault, to be removed)3. excŏlo, ui, ultum, 3 (by cultivation and care)4. corrĭgo, 35. mītĭgo, 1 (by taking away wildness of any kind)II. To take advantage ofIII. Intr.1. melior fīo, factus, irr.2. prōfĭcio, fēci, fectum, 3 (in study) • improve: I. To make better: 1. expr. by mĕlior, with a verb: if time i.s poetry as it does wine, si meliora dies ut vina poemata reddit, Hor. Ep. 2, 1, 34: a Phrygian is i.'d by beating (prov.), Phryx plagis fieri solet m., Cic. Fl. 27, 65. 2. ēmendo, 1 (implying the existence of actual fault, to be removed): a state is mostly i.d and corrected by the integrity of its leading men, solet civitas emendari et corrigi continentia principum, Cic. Leg. 3, 13, 30: to i. one soil by means of another, terram terra e., Plin. 17., 5., 3, § 41: Hor. 3. excŏlo, ui, ultum, 3 (by cultivation and care): (Cicero) was the first to i. oratory, primus excoluit orationem, Dial. Or. 22: let us yield ourselves up to philosophy to i., demus nos philosophiae excolendos, Cic. Tusc. 4, extr. 4. corrĭgo, 3: v. to correct. 5. mītĭgo, 1 (by taking away wildness of any kind): to enrich and i. land, agros laetificare et m., Cic. N. D. 2, 50, 130. II. To take advantage of: ūtor, ūsus, 3 (with abl.): v. to use. III. Intr.: to become better: 1. melior fīo, factus, irr.: v. supr. (I., init.). 2. prōfĭcio, fēci, fectum, 3 (in study): Sen. Ep. 108, 3: see also improvement (II.).