An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

To increase the apparent size of, as a lens does.

Etymology (EN): From O.Fr. magnifier, from L. magnificare “esteem greatly, extol,” from magnificus “splendid,” from magnus “great” + root of facere “to make.”

Etymology (PE): From bozorg “large, magnificent, great” + nemudan “to show.” The first element from Mid.Pers. vazurg “great, big, high, lofty;” O.Pers. vazarka- “great;” Av. vazra- “club, mace” (Mod.Pers. gorz “mace”); cf. Skt. vájra- “(Indra’s) thunderbolt,” vaja- “strength, speed;” L. vigere “be lively, thrive,” velox “fast, lively,” vegere “to enliven,” vigil “watchful, awake;”
P.Gmc. *waken (Du. waken; O.H.G. wahhen; Ger. wachen “to be awake;” E. wake); PIE base *weg- “to be strong, be lively.” The second element nemudan from Mid.Pers. nimūdan, nimây- “to show,” from O.Pers./Av. ni- “down; into,” → ni-, + māy- “to measure,” → display.
Bozorgidan infinitive from bozorg + -idan.