damnify

[dam-nuh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

Law.

damnified, damnifying 

1. to cause loss or damage to.

damnify

/ ˈdæmnɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. law to cause loss or damage to (a person); injure

Other Word Forms

• undamnified adjective
• damnification noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of damnify¹

1505–15; < Middle French damnifier, Old French < Late Latin damnificāre, derivative of Latin damnific ( us ) harmful, equivalent to damn ( um ) damage + -ificus ( -i-, -fic ); -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of damnify¹

C16: from Old French damnifier, ultimately from Latin damnum harm, + facere to make

Example Sentences

It was just within the bounds of probability that they might be able to overthrow that remarkable pedestrian tour; or they might light on other facts tending to elucidate his connection with Michael Sinson; or at least might further damnify his general character.

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Stormed Justice McReynolds: "I presume Missouri may . . . break down the settled practice concerning separate schools and thereby, as indicated by experience, damnify both races."

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"Alexander commanded his soldiers neither to damnify Pindarus, the poet, nor any of his family."

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Secondly, a man may damnify another by preventing him from obtaining what he was on the way to obtain.

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In Haverhill, in 1708, young women were permitted to build pews, provided they did not "damnify the Stairway."

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