magnifier
UK[ˈmæɡnɪfaɪə(r)]US[ˈmæɡnɪfaɪər]
n
A lens or device that makes objects appear larger than they actually are.
Morpheme Breakdown
magni
fy
er
magni
large
fy
make
er
agent
Etymology
The word 'magnifier' is built upon the Latin root magnus, meaning "great". This root is combined with the Latin verbal suffix -ficare (to make), which entered English via French as -fy, creating the verb 'magnify'—literally "to make larger". The agent suffix -er, of Germanic origin, is then appended to form a noun denoting an instrument that performs the action. Thus, the literal construction "a thing that makes (something) large" perfectly describes its modern function as an optical device for enlargement.
Analysis
Structure: magni (large) + fy (make) + er (agent)
- magni: From Latin magnus, meaning "great, large".
- fy: A verb-forming suffix from Latin -ficare, meaning "to make".
- er: An agent noun suffix from Old English -ere, indicating a person or thing that performs an action.
Examples
She used a magnifier to read the fine print on the document.
A magnifier is an essential tool for jewelers and watchmakers.
The detective examined the fingerprint with a powerful magnifier.