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Magnify

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 land; to extol. 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, to oppose with pride.

Origin: oe. Magnifien, f. Magnifier, L. Magnificare. See Magnific.