-ˌfī verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English magnifien, from Middle French magnifier, from Latin magnificare, from magnificus noble, splendid, magnificent — more at magnificence
transitive verb
1.
a. : to praise highly : extol , laud
while they magnified the art, they often belittled the artist — Havelock Ellis
history, in every country, is so taught as to magnify that country — Bertrand Russell
b. : to increase the importance of : cause to be held in greater esteem or respect
on that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel — Jos 4:14 (NCE)
2.
a. : to make greater : add to : intensify , heighten
real drama … will use ugliness to magnify beauty — Alan Mickle
felt her every weakness magnified and revealed in the fine mirror — Ethel Wilson
b. : to give a distorted view of : exaggerate
a simple mistake in judgment was often magnified to the proportions of a major crime — B.F.Fairless
magnified the peril — Arnold Bennett
material comfort and ease was magnified in contrast with the pains and risk of experimental creation — John Dewey
3. : to enlarge in fact or in appearance
the microscope magnified the object 100 diameters
intransitive verb
1. : to have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they are : to increase the apparent dimensions of objects
a glass that magnifies greatly
2. now dialect Britain : to have importance : matter , signify
Synonyms: see exalt
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- magnify oneself against