codify

American  

[kod-uh-fahy, koh-duh-] / ˈkɒd əˌfaɪ, ˈkoʊ də- /

verb (used with object)

codified, codifying

1. to compile (laws, rules, etc.) into an orderly, formal code.

2. to make a digest of; arrange in a systematic collection.

   Synonyms:

   group, organize, order, catalog, classify

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codify British  

/ ˈkəʊdɪˌfaɪ, ˈkɒ- /

verb

1. (tr) to organize or collect together (laws, rules, procedures, etc) into a system or code

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• codifiability
  noun
• codifier
  noun
• recodify
  verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of codify

First recorded in 1795–1805; code + -ify

Explanation

To codify is to arrange information in a logical order that others can follow. Legislators may try to codify, or gather and organize, all laws related to a particular issue. When you look at the word codify you can probably guess that it's related to the word code. Warriors live by a code. Building inspectors check that a building and its systems are up to code. Hockey players use "the code" to determine when — and why — to fight on the ice. All of these codes are clear to the people who use them because someone in the past made an effort to codify the various rules into an organized system.

Related Words

• summarize