Changes in quantities can be categorized as increase, decrease, or no change.

Here we are primarily interested in "increase".

• The modern Greek word "αύξηση" (AV-ksee-see) ≈ "increase" (as a noun).
• The modern Greek word "αυξάνω" (av-KSA-no) ≈ "increase" (as a verb).

John the Baptist refers to Jesus in John 3:30.

To "increase", something must be added.

• The Middle English word "weaxe" ≈ "increase, wax" from which we get the English word "wax" (increase).
• The German word "wachsen" ≈ "increase".
• The Latin word "crescere" ≈ "increase" from which, through Italian, we get the English musical term "crescendo" for increasing loudness (of the music).

To "decrease" something must be subtracted or taken away.

• The Middle English word "wanige" ≈ "decrease, wane" from which we get the English word "wane".
• The German word "wenig" ≈ "few" which is similar to the Middle English "wanige".
• The German word "abnehmen" ≈ "decrease" and literally means "take away".
• The Latin word "minui" ≈ "decrease" from which we get the English word "minimum".

In German and Old English and thereafter, the word "also" was originally a way to say that something was to be "added" as in the meaning of "also" as "in addition".

• The German word "auch" ≈ "also, in addition".
• The Old English word "eac" ≈ "also, in addition".
• The Middle English word "euen" ≈ "also, even".
• The modern Greek word "και" (keh) ≈ "and" but often, by context, means "and also".

In English, the word "also" is often redundant and can be removed without loss of meaning.

The above KJV (King James Version) as "Lord also of the sabbath" could be rewritten as "Lord and Lord of the sabbath". In Greek, the second "Lord" would be inferred and written as "Lord and of the sabbath".

The Old English word "eke" ≈ "also, increase" (but does not appear in the Wessex Gospels except as the above "eac").

Many people had another name, or an "also name" or an "eac name" or as "eke name". Eventually, the "an eke name" became "a nickname". This process is called "rebracketing". For more examples, see A feud about a little less.

The English word "eke" still means to increase, as in the following verse.

Over time, the "eke" has come to mean "increase" but requiring a lot of effort to get a little increase.

The disciples want to "eke" out a little more faith.

• The Old English word "geeac" ≈ "increase".
• The German word "stärke" ≈ "strengthen" (as in a command or request).
• The Latin word "adauge" ≈ "increase".

• The modern Greek word "προσθετός" (pro-stheh-TOS) ≈ "increase, add" as in addition.
• The modern Greek word "πρόσθεση" (PRO-stheh-see) ≈ "addition".

An English word that comes from the Greek word is a "prosthesis" which is an artificial body part that is "added", such as a leg, arm, etc. Note that "prosthetics" is the field of science while "prosthesis" is the added part created.

In linguistics, a "prosthesis" is a letter or syllable added to a word (at the beginning) that does not change the meaning of the word.

In Old and Middle English, a "be-" is often added to a word for emphasis. A common example is Shakespeare adding a "be-" to "sweep" to create "besweep". Does that "befit" here?

• "vow" to "avow" (Edgar Allan Poe)
• "far" to "afar" (Edgar Allan Poe)

In the case of poetry (Edgar Allen Poe) the addition of a syllable can make the poetry more rhythmic.

A Latin word related to "increase" is the word "august".

The sixth month of the Roman calendar, formerly "Sextilis" for "sixth month", was named August in honor of Caesar Augustus (63 BC - 14 AD), the Roman emperor at the time Jesus was born.

The name of August replaced other names for this month in places such as England.

In old England, the month name of August replaced "Weodmonað" or "weed month". The English word "weed" comes from "weod" but the word could mean just "grass".

The Middle English word "hei" ≈ "grass" from which we get the English word "hay", as in the verse below.

The following words for "increase" (and some above) come from the PIE (Proto Indo-European) root "*agu" ≈ "increase" which is related to the PIE root "*wegs" ≈ "grow".

• augment, inaugurate, auction
• August, august
• eke, nickname
• The Old English word "eacien" ≈ "to increase".
• waist, wax