mag·ni·fy 
(măgnə-fī′)
(măgnə-fī′)v. mag·ni·fied, mag·ni·fy·ing, mag·ni·fies
v.tr.
1.
a. To increase the apparent size of (an object), especially by means of a lens, instrument, or device.
b. To increase the volume of (sound): "Canyons magnified the thunder" (John Vernon).
2. To make more intense or extreme: High winds magnified the danger.
3. To cause to appear greater, more important, or more extreme than is in fact the case: Her mistakes were magnified in the tabloid press. See Synonyms at exaggerate.
4. Archaic To glorify or praise.
v.intr.
To increase or have the power to increase the size or volume of an image or a sound.
[Middle English magnifien, to extol, from Old French magnifier, from Latin magnificāre, from magnificus, magnificent; see MAGNIFIC.]