amplify

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to increase the volume of

   I amplify my voice with a bullhorn.

2. 2
   verb

   to exaggerate or make bigger

   Their outburst only amplified the problem.

3. 3
   verb

   to increase in size, volume or significance

   Our new equipment amplifies much better.

4. 4
   verb

   to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth

   We began to amplify the facts during the sale.

5. 5
   verb

   To render larger, more extended, or more intense.

   amplify the loudspeaker

6. 6
   verb

   To enlarge by addition or commenting; to treat copiously by adding particulars, illustrations, etc.; to expand.

   Troilus and Cressida was written by a Lombard author, but much amplified by our English translator.

7. 7
   verb

   To increase the amplitude of something, especially of an electric current.

   amplify a signal

8. 8
   verb

   To add content that is not present in the source text to the target text, usually to improve the fluency of the translation.

Etymology

Etymology tree Latin amplus Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁-der. Proto-Italic *-fakāō Latin -ficō Latin amplificārebor. Old French amplifierbor. Middle English amplifiyen English amplify Inherited from Middle English amplifiyen, borrowed from Old French amplifier, borrowed from Latin amplificāre, from amplus (“abundant, ample”) + -ficō. By surface analysis, ample + -ify.