escalate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   increase in extent or intensity

   The Allies escalated the bombing

2. 2
   verb

   To increase (something) in extent or intensity; to intensify or step up.

   Violence escalated during the election.

3. 3
   verb

   In technical support, to transfer a customer, a problem, etc. to the next higher level of authority

   The tech 1 escalated the caller to a tech 2.

4. 4
   verb

   To climb.

   Thus, actually a prior uncounselled misdemeanor conviction may often prove to be a boon to one escalating the ladder of crime to the point where he has been convicted of a major aggravated offense.

5. 5
   verb

   To move by escalator.

   Escalator after escalator flowed up to the heights above, […] Dov escalated up beside me, scowling.

Etymology

Back-formation from escalator.