Magnify /(?)/

Mag·ni·fy

Magnify

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Magnified; p. pr. & vb. n. Magnifying

  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.

Phrases & Compounds
To magnify one's self
to exhibit pride and haughtiness; to boast.
To magnify one's self against
to oppose with pride.

Magnify

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.]