magnĭfĭcentĭa, ae, f. [magnificus], greatness in action or in sentiment, nobleness, distinction, eminence, high-mindedness, magnanimity; in a bad sense, boasting, bragging, etc.
I In gen.
A Lit.: magnificentia est rerum magnarum et excelsarum cum anima ampla quadam et splendida propositione agitatio atque administratio, Cic. Inv. 2, 54, 163: et magnificentia et despicientia adhibenda est rerum humanarum, greatness of soul , id. Off. 1, 21, 72; id. Agr. 2, 8, 22.—
B Transf., of inanimate things, grandeur, magnificence, splendor, sumptuousness : epularum, Cic. Or. 25, 83: villarum, id. Off. 1, 39, 140: funerum et sepulcrorum, id. Leg. 2, 26, 66: liberalitatis, id. Rosc. Com. 8, 24: extra modum sumptu et magnificentia prodire, id. Off. 1, 39, 40: exhaustus magnificentiā publicorum operum, Liv. 1, 57: magnificentiae studium, Tac. A. 3, 55: publica magnificentia, Vell. 2, 1, 2.—
II Esp.
1 Rhet. t. t., an imposing style, sounding or dignified language : his tribus narrandi virtutibus adiciunt quidam magnificentiam, quam μεγαλοπρέπειαν vocant, Quint. 4, 2, 61 sq.—
2 In a bad sense: verborum magnificentia, pomposity of language, bombast , Cic. Lael. 6, 21: i hinc in malam crucem cum istac magnificentiā, Ter. Phorm. 930.—
3 In partic., greatness of talent, great artistic skill , Plin. 36, 5, 4, § 19.