magnify

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To praise, glorify (someone or something, especially God).

   For they herde them speake with tonges, and magnify God.

2. 2
   verb

   To make (something) larger or more important.

   But through the oligopoly, charcoal fuel proliferated throughout London's trades and industries. By the 1200s, brewers and bakers, tilemakers, glassblowers, pottery producers, and a range of other craftsmen all became hour-to-hour consumers of charcoal. This only magnified the indispensable nature of the oligopolists.

3. 3
   verb

   To make (something) appear larger by means of a lens, magnifying glass, telescope etc.

   Not long ago, it was difficult to produce photographs of tiny creatures with every part in focus. That’s because the lenses that are excellent at magnifying tiny subjects produce a narrow depth of field. A photo processing technique called focus stacking has changed that.

4. 4
   verb

   To have effect; to be of importance or significance.

   My Governess […] told him I was continually eating some Trash or other. […] But this magnified but little with my Father.

5. 5
   verb

   make large

6. 6
   verb

   increase in size, volume or significance

7. 7
   verb

   to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth

8. 8
   verb

   To make (someone or something) appear greater or more important than it is; to intensify, exaggerate.

Etymology

From Middle English magnifien, from Middle French magnifier, from Latin magnificāre, from magnificus.