magnify

Contents
English
Etymology
Pronunciation
Verb
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations

English

Etymology
From Middle French magnifier, from Latin magnificāre, from magnificus.

Pronunciation

(UK) IPA(key): /ˈmaɡnɪfaɪ/

(US) IPA(key): /ˈmæɡnɪfaɪ/

Verb
magnify (third-person singular simple present magnifies, present participle magnifying, simple past and past participle magnified)

1. (transitive) To praise, glorify (someone or something, especially God). [from 14th c.] [quotations ▼]
2. (transitive) To make (something) larger or more important. [from 14th c.] [quotations ▼]
3. (transitive) To make (someone or something) appear greater or more important than it is; to intensify, exaggerate. [from 17th c.]
4. (transitive) To make (something) appear larger by means of a lens, magnifying glass, telescope etc. [from 17th c.] [quotations ▼]
 5. (intransitive, slang, obsolete) To have effect; to be of importance or significance.
(Can we find and add a quotation of Spectator to this entry?)

Derived terms

magnifier
magnifying glass
magnification

Related terms

minify (opposite)

Translations
±to make larger [show ▼]

Retrieved from "https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=magnify&oldid=50164496"

This page was last edited on 20 August 2018, at 19:06.

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and
Privacy Policy.