magnifier etymology

Etymology:

• Medieval Latin: magnificator, from Latin magnificus (“large, great”) + -ator (“agent”)
• Ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European *meğ- (“great”)

Meaning:

A device used to enlarge the apparent size of an object by converging light rays.

Origin:

The first magnifiers were simple lenses made of glass or crystal, known as "burning glasses." They were used in ancient Greece and Rome to start fires by focusing sunlight.

In the 13th century, Roger Bacon described the use of lenses as magnifiers. By the 16th century, eyeglasses became commonly used, and magnifiers were often incorporated into their frames.

The term "magnifier" first appeared in English in the 17th century. It was originally used to refer to devices that enlarged images, such as telescopes and microscopes. By the 19th century, the term had become commonly used to refer specifically to devices that enlarged objects for close examination.

magnifier relate terms

• magnify

  Etymology Latin magnus great French magnifier to enlarge Meaning To incr

• telescope

  Etymology Greek tele far skopos watcher Meaning A telescope is an optica

• scope

  Etymology The word scope comes from the Middle English term scōp which itself ori

• host

  Etymology The word host comes from the Old English word hōst which in turn is deri

• flatter

  Etymology The word flatter comes from the Old French word flater which itself derive

• pound

  Etymology The word pound comes from the Old English pund or pundt which itself

• apparition

  Etymology The word apparition derives from the Latin appārēre meaning to appear

• invention

  Etymology The word invention is derived from the Latin word invenire meaning to com

• conception

  Etymology The word conception derives from the Latin conceptio which means taking t

• shambles

  Etymology Middle English schamel from Old North French eschamel escamel from Medieva