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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Magnify

Măg'nĭ-fīy, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. MAGNIFIED; p. pr. & vb. n. MAGNIFYING.] [Fr. magnifier. See MAGNIFICATE.]

Sense 1. To make great or greater; to increase the apparent dimensions of; to enlarge; to augment; as, a convex lens magnifies the bulk of a body to the eye.

Sense 2. To increase the power or glory of; to exalt; to extol; to sound the praises of.

O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Ps. xxxiv. 3.

Thee that day Thy thunders magnified. Milton.

Synonyms—To enlarge; amplify; augment; exaggerate; exalt; extol; praise.

Măg'nĭ-fy, v. i.

verbintransitive

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.] My governess assured my father I had wanted for nothing; that I was almost eaten up with the green-sickness; but this magnified but little with my father. Spectator.