To make something appear larger through optical means or to increase the significance or intensity of something.
From Old French magnifier, from Latin magnificare 'to esteem greatly,' from magnus 'great' + facere 'to make.' Originally meant 'to praise' or 'glorify,' the optical sense developed in the 14th century.
Originally, to 'magnify' meant to glorify or praise something, which beautifully connects to its modern meaning - whether we're enlarging an image or emphasizing a point, we're essentially making something 'great' in the most literal sense.
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