edify
[ed-uh-fahy]
- to instruct or benefit, especially morally or spiritually; uplift: religious paintings that edify the viewer.
Show More
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for edifies
Contemporary Examples
So it is with South Park, which edifies as it offends—or maybe edifies because it offends.
Historical Examples
He opens his budget and edifies us with a speech—one-half the house goes away.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Volume 7Elbert Hubbard
To her great surprise she hears that the sister continues there, and edifies the whole community by her piety.
A Literary History of the English PeopleJean Jules Jusserand
In so far as the drama uplifts and edifies the audience, it does so, not by precept or by syllogism, but by emotional suggestion.
The Theory of the TheatreClayton Hamilton
edify
- (tr) to improve the morality, intellect, etc, of, esp by instruction
Show More
Word Origin
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
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for edifies
edify
v.
mid-14c., "to build, construct," also, in figurative use, "to build up morally or in faith," from Old French edefiier "build, install, teach, instruct (morally)," from Latin aedificare "to build, construct," in Late Latin "improve spiritually, instruct" (see edifice). Related: Edified; edifying.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper