Magnifying

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Magnify \Mag"ni*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Magnified}; p. pr. &
     vb. n. {Magnifying}.] [OE. magnifien, F. magnifier, L.
     magnificare. See {Magnific}.]
     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.
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              The least error in a small quantity . . . will in a
              great one . . . be proportionately magnified.
                                                    --Grew.
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     2. To increase the importance of; to augment the esteem or
        respect in which one is held.
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              On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight
              of all Israel.                        --Joshua iv.
                                                    14.
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     3. To praise highly; to laud; to extol. [Archaic]
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              O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his
              name together.                        --Ps. xxxiv.
                                                    3.
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     4. To exaggerate; as, to magnify a loss or a difficulty.
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     {To magnify one's self} (Script.), to exhibit pride and
        haughtiness; to boast.
  
     {To magnify one's self against} (Script.), to oppose with
        pride.
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