D defs.my
Entry 6 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Magnify

/măg'-nəf-īˌ/ · Mag·ni·fy · IPA /ˈmæɡnɪfaɪ/
01 v. t. To make great, or greater; to increase the dimensions of; to amplify; to enlarge, either in fact or in appearance; as, the microscope magni…
imp. & p. p. Magnified; p. pr. & vb. n. Magnifying
  1. 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. 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. 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. 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.
02 v. i. To have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they really are; to increase the apparent dimensions of objects; as, some lenses…
  1. 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. 2.
    To have effect; to be of importance or significance.[Cant & Obs.]