'Magnify' definitions:

Definition of 'magnify'

(from WordNet)
verb
Increase in size, volume or significance; "Her terror was magnified in her mind" [syn: magnify, amplify]
verb
To enlarge beyond bounds or the truth; "tended to romanticize and exaggerate this `gracious Old South' imagery" [syn: overstate, exaggerate, overdraw, hyperbolize, hyperbolise, magnify, amplify] [ant: downplay, minimise, minimize, understate]
verb
Make large; "blow up an image" [syn: blow up, enlarge, magnify] [ant: reduce, scale down]

Definition of 'Magnify'

From: 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. [1913 Webster]
  • The least error in a small quantity . . . will in a great one . . . be proportionately magnified. --Grew. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To increase the importance of; to augment the esteem or respect in which one is held. [1913 Webster]
  • On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel. --Joshua iv. 14. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To praise highly; to laud; to extol. [Archaic] [1913 Webster]
  • O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. --Ps. xxxiv. 3. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To exaggerate; as, to magnify a loss or a difficulty. [1913 Webster]
  • To magnify one's self (Script.), to exhibit pride and haughtiness; to boast.
  • To magnify one's self against (Script.), to oppose with pride. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Magnify'

From: GCIDE
  • Magnify \Mag"ni*fy\, v. i.
  • 1. To have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they really are; to increase the apparent dimensions of objects; as, some lenses magnify but little. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To have effect; to be of importance or significance. [Cant & Obs.] --Spectator. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'magnify'

From: Moby Thesaurus