v. [a. Fr. amplifie-r, f. L. amplificā-re to enlarge (cf. amplific-us), f. ampl-us large + fic- = fac- make: see -FY.] gen. To make large; in space, amount, capacity, importance or representation.
† 1. To enlarge or extend in space or capacity. Obs.
1432–50. trans. Higden (1865), I. 111. Aelya … whom he amplifiede with more circuite of walles.
1576. Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 379. Having amplified the buildings.
1636. Dacres, Machiavel’s Disc., I. Table, Republiques have taken three particular courses to amplify and inlarge their states.
† 2. To augment in volume or amount. Obs.
1580. North, Plutarch (1676), 984. A continual reading of all sorts of good Authors … to amplifie his collections.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 140. All concaves that proceed from more narrow to more broad do Amplify the sound at the Coming out.
† 3. To increase or augment (a number). Obs. rare.
1593. Fale, Dialling, 27. I amplific 46226 the Sine thereof by the whole Sine.
† 4. intr. (refl.) To become larger. Obs. rare.
1600. Fairfax, Tasso, X. xxxiii. 186. Strait was the way at first … But further in did further amplifie.
5. To extend or increase (anything immaterial) in amount, importance, dignity, etc.
1549. Coverdale, Erasm. Paraphr. Phil. i. 11. In amplyfyinge of good dedes, the rewarde of immortalitie is amplyfyed also.
1590. Marlowe, Edw. II., V. ii. 267. Let no man comfort him … But amplify his grief with bitter words.
1681. Manton, Serm., Ps. cxix. Wks. 1872, VIII. 9. This wisdom is amplified, by comparing it with the wisdom of others.
1767. T. Hutchinson, Hist. Prov. Mass. Bay, ii. 329. The house discovered … a desire to amplify their jurisdiction.
1838. Sir W. Hamilton, Log., iii. (1866), I. 44. Logic cannot extend, cannot amplify, a science by the discovery of new facts.
6. To enlarge (a story or statement) by telling it more diffusely or fully, or by adding fresh details, illustrations or reflections; to expand; make much of.
a. 1400. Chester Plays, Proem. 4. And you, worthy marchantes … Amplifye the storie of those wise Kinges three.
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., I. 3. To amplifie the same by some of those manifest experiments.
1625. Cooke, Pope Joan, in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), IV. 34. You know … how he amplifies every point, and sets it out with all the circumstances.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Amplification, Instead of saying merely, that Turnus died, he amplifies his death.
1879. C. Geikie, Life of Christ, li. 602. A parable, which I amplify, for its clearer understanding.
7. intr. To make additional remarks; to speak largely in many words; to lay oneself out in diffusion; to enlarge, expatiate or dilate. a. simply.
1590. Greene, Never too Late (1600), 12. He tooke his Bible in his hand, whereupon leaning his arme, he amplified thus.
1670. G. H., Hist. Cardinals, II. iii. 192. In his discourses … he would amplifie so much, he would often lose his way.
1751. Watts, Improv. Mind (1801), 35. Where he is too brief and concise, amplify a little.
1879. G. Scott, Lect. Archit., I. vi. When I wished to amplify, I have done so by notes.
b. with on, upon. arch.
1692. R. L’Estrange, Josephus, xi. (1733), 412. While he was amplifying upon the Story of his good Fortunes.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), I. 185. I … am the less solicitous … to amplify upon the contents of either.
1808. Scott, Marm., IV. Introd. Not even that clown could amplify, On this trite text, so long as I.
8. To enlarge (a thing) in representation; to magnify, exaggerate, make too much of.
1561. T. N[orton], Calvin’s Inst., I. 23. The Prophet … doth amplifie ye madnesse of them.
1589. Bp. Cooper, Admon., 9. Thus odiously to amplifie and paint foorth their discredite.
1619. Lett., in Engl. & Germ. (Camd. Soc.), I. The amplifying of the number of the horsemen slayne.
1831. Brewster, Nat. Magic, iii. 46. The descriptions are neither heightened by fancy, nor amplified by invention.
