Mag·ni·fy 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.
To magnify one's self Script., to exhibit pride and haughtiness; to boast.
To magnify one's self against Script., to oppose with pride.
magnified
adj : enlarged to an abnormal degree; "thick lenses exaggerated
the size of her eyes" [syn: exaggerated, enlarged]
magnify
v 1: increase in size, volume or significance; "Her terror was
magnified in her mind" [syn: amplify]
2: to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth; "tended to
romanticize and exaggerate this `gracious Old South'
imagery" [syn: overstate, exaggerate, overdraw, hyperbolize,
hyerbolise, amplify] [ant: understate]
3: make large; "blow up an image" [syn: blow up, enlarge]
[ant: reduce]
[also: magnified]