magnifier
/ˈmæɡ.nɪ.faɪ.ər/ · mag·ni·fier
noun
- A convex lens or optical instrument that enlarges the appearance of an object when viewed through it. She used a handheld magnifier to read the fine print on the medication label.
- A person or thing that enlarges, exaggerates, or makes something seem more important than it is. The media acted as a magnifier of the scandal, turning a minor mistake into a national controversy.
- In computing, a software tool that enlarges a portion of the screen to aid visibility, often for accessibility purposes. He activated the screen magnifier in Windows to better see the tiny icons.
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Did you know? The first known magnifying devices were simple glass lenses used by Roman scholars, but the term “magnifier” only entered English in the 17th century alongside the rise of portable reading glasses.