A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Magnify, v. Also: -fie, -fé, mangnify, magrify. [ME. magnifie (Wyclif), F. magnifier, L. magnificære.]
1. tr. To extol, glorify, honour; to praise. a1500 Henr. Cock & Jewel 87 (Bann.).
Thy grit vertew … I may nowthir extoll nor magnify Id. Orph. 2.
The … grete magnificence Off prince or lord quha list to magnify, His grete ancestor … Suld first extoll 1490 Irland Mir. I. 116/30.
In all the waurld thi haly and blist name he [Christ] sall magnify Ib. fol. 195 b.
The haly faith … is to be lufit honorit preichit and magnified 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. Prol. 78. c1500-c1512 Dunb. viii. 14.
All land did his name dreid Quhois force all France in fame did magnifie 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 421. Ib. ii. iv. 59. 1531 Bell. Boece I. 162.
Quhill the pepill war gevin to laude and magnifie thair prince Arundel MS. 251/2. a1568 Bann. MS. 25 b/1. a1585 Maitl. Q. lxviii. 8.
2. To increase in size, status or dignity; to exalt. c1460 Wisd. Sol. (S.T.S.) 69.
I magrifyit [sic] my werkis makand castellis [etc.] 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. I. 49.
[Fortune's] transitorie plesance … Now to, now fra, now law, now magnifyis 1535 Stewart 48069. a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xvii. 23.
God … quhen he plesis can princis magnifie
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