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