Definition/Meaning of escalate

• English - Verb: escalate ( third-person singular simple present escalates , present participle escalating , simple past and past participle escalated ) ( transitive and intransitive ) to increase (something) in extent or intensity; to intensify or step up Violence escalated during the election . The shooting escalated the existing hostility . in technical support , to transfer a telephone caller to the next…
• English - Etymology: Back-formation from escalator .
• English - Pronunciation: ( UK , US ) enPR: esʹ kə lāt , IPA (key) : /ˈɛs.kə.leɪt/