different between magnificent vs lofty

English

Etymology

From Middle French magnificent, from Latin magnificentior, comparative of magnificus (“great in deeds or sentiment, noble, splendid, etc.”), from magnus (“great”) + -ficens, a form of -ficiens, the regular form, in compounds, of faciens, a participle of facere (“to do”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mæ??n?f?s?nt/
• Hyphenation: mag?nif?i?cent

Adjective

magnificent (comparative more magnificent, superlative most magnificent)

1. Grand, elegant or splendid in appearance.
2. Grand or noble in action.
3. Exceptional for its kind.

Derived terms

• magnificently
• magnificent frigatebird

Related terms

• magnificence
• beneficent
• maleficent
• munificent

Translations

Further reading

• magnificent in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• magnificent in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• magnificent at OneLook Dictionary Search

Latin

Verb

magnificent

1. third-person plural present active subjunctive of magnific?

English

Etymology

From Middle English lofty, lofti, lofte (“of high rank; noble; ornate”), equivalent to loft +? -y; see loft (“sky, firmament; upper room”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: l?ft?i, IPA^(key): /?l?fti/
• (General American) enPR: lôft?i, IPA^(key): /?l??fti/
• (cot–caught merger, Canada) enPR: l?ft?i, IPA^(key): /?l?fti/
• Rhymes: -?fti, -??fti

Adjective

lofty (comparative loftier, superlative loftiest)

1. high, tall, having great height or stature
   • 1885, Richard F. Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Night 551:

     When the night was half spent, I rose and walked on, till the day broke in all its beauty and the sun rose over the heads of the lofty hills and athwart the low gravelly plains.

2. idealistic, implying over-optimism

   a lofty goal

   • 2013, Delme Parfitt in Wales Online, Cardiff City 1 - 0 Swansea City: Steven Caulker heads Bluebirds to South Wales derby win (3 November 2013)

     A goal from Steven Caulker, just after the hour mark, was enough to hand victory to Malky Mackay's men, with Swansea falling some way short of the lofty standards they have set previously at this level.

3. extremely proud; arrogant; haughty
   • F. Harrison

     that lofty pity with which prosperous folk are apt to remember their grandfathers

Synonyms

• (having great height or stature): noble, honorable

Antonyms

• (having great height or stature): mean, ignoble
• (idealistic): familiar, vulgar

Related terms

• loft
• aloft

Translations