I. -nt adjective
Etymology: Latin magnificent- (in magnificentior more magnificent — irregular compar. of magnificus — , back-formation from magnificentia magnificence)
1.
a. : great in deed or exalted in place : characterized by wonderful or splendid achievements — now used only as an epithet applied to former famous rulers
Lorenzo the Magnificent
b. : having dignity and stateliness : displaying ceremonial pomp
after them came the nobility in their coronation robes which was a most magnificent sight — Saturday Review
2.
a. : characterized by lavish display : exhibiting sumptuousness : brilliant
the magnificent pavilion withits painted ceilings, flamboyant gilt decorations, and extravagant chandeliers — S.P.B.Mais
magnificent red damask hangings round the chancel and choir — George Santayana
b. : characterized by ostentatious expenditure : extravagant
the magnificent luncheon bill was reverently borne in, on silver — Sinclair Lewis
offered his brother … a magnificent bribe, nothing less than the half of his kingdom — C.S.Forester
3. : strikingly beautiful : superb of form or shape : splendid
heavily built man with a magnificent pair of shoulders — Robert Graves
a magnificent dapple-gray horse, with glossy hair — Virginia Woolf
from the road there was a magnificent view of the country lying to the south — Sherwood Anderson
4. : impressive to the imagination : inspiring , noble
a magnificent illustration of the public's instinct for the quality of a leader — F.D.Roosevelt
admonished all to know the truth for the magnificent purpose of becoming free — Philip Wylie
5. : exceptionally fine
valley crops were magnificent that year — Julian Dana
a really magnificent soup — Gordon Sager
our frontiers have turned out some magnificent people — Russell Lord
Synonyms: see grand
II. noun
( -s )
: one who is eminent
seen escorting two magnificents of literary New York — Thomas Beer