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.
The least error in a small quantity . . . will in a
great one . . . be proportionately magnified.
Grew.
2. 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.
3. To praise highly; to laud; to extol.
[Archaic]
O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt
his name together.
Ps. xxxiv. 3.
4. 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.
Mag"ni*fy, v. i. 1.
To have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they
really are; to increase the apparent dimensions of objects; as, some
lenses magnify but little.
2. To have effect; to be of importance or
significance. [Cant & Obs.] Spectator.
Magnifying glass, a lens which magnifies the
apparent dimensions of objects seen through it.
