edify
[ ed-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈɛd ə faɪ /
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verb (used with object), ed·i·fied, ed·i·fy·ing.
to instruct or benefit, especially morally or spiritually; uplift: religious paintings that edify the viewer.
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Origin of edify
1300–50; Middle English edifien<Anglo-French, Old French edifier<Latin aedificāre to build, equivalent to aedi- (stem of aedes) house, temple + -ficāre-fy
OTHER WORDS FROM edify
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for edify
edify
/ (ˈɛdɪˌfaɪ) /
verb -fies, -fying or -fied
(tr) to improve the morality, intellect, etc, of, esp by instruction
Derived forms of edify
edifier, nounedifying, adjectiveedifyingly, adverbWord Origin for edify
C14: from Old French edifier, from Latin aedificāre to construct, from aedēs a dwelling, temple + facere to make
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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