- Magnifying
- Magnify Mag"ni*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Magnified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Magnifying}.] [OE. magnifien, F. magnifier, L.
magnificare. See {Magnific}.]
1. To make great, or greater; to increase the dimensions of;
to amplify; to enlarge, either in fact or in appearance;
as, the microscope magnifies the object by a thousand
diameters.
[1913 Webster]
The least error in a small quantity . . . will in a great one . . . be proportionately magnified. --Grew. [1913 Webster]
2. To increase the importance of; to augment the esteem or respect in which one is held. [1913 Webster]
On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel. --Joshua iv. 14. [1913 Webster]
3. To praise highly; to laud; to extol. [Archaic] [1913 Webster]
O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. --Ps. xxxiv. 3. [1913 Webster]
4. To exaggerate; as, to magnify a loss or a difficulty. [1913 Webster]
{To magnify one's self} (Script.), to exhibit pride and haughtiness; to boast.
{To magnify one's self against} (Script.), to oppose with pride. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.