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verb (used with object), -fied, -fy·ing.
to instruct or benefit, especially morally or spiritually; uplift: religious paintings that edify the viewer.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English edifien < Anglo-French, Old French edifier < Latin aedificāre to build, equivalent to aedi- (stem of aedes) house, temple + -ficāre -fy
1300–50; Middle English edifien < Anglo-French, Old French edifier < Latin aedificāre to build, equivalent to aedi- (stem of aedes) house, temple + -ficāre -fy
Related forms
ed·i·fi·er, noun
ed·i·fy·ing·ly, adverb
non·ed·i·fied, adjective
re·ed·i·fy, verb (used with object), -fied, -fy·ing.
un·ed·i·fied, adjective
EXPANDun·ed·i·fy·ing, adjective
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Edify
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
Example Sentences
- Despite its flaws, this volume nonetheless will edify and absorb the reader.
- They never fail to both edify and amuse.
- But her goal here was not to edify the spirit, but to win the vote.
Collins
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
| Main Entry: | edify1 |
| Part of Speech: | v |
| Definition: | to build, construct; to establish |
| Etymology: | Latin aedes 'building' + -ficare 'to make' |
| Usage: | transitive |
| Main Entry: | edify2 |
| Part of Speech: | v |
| Definition: | to build up, establish, or strengthen a person, institution, etc.; to uplift |
| Etymology: | Latin aedes 'building' + -ficare 'to make' |
| Usage: | transitive |
| Main Entry: | edify3 |
| Part of Speech: | v |
| Definition: | to inform or enlighten intellectually or spiritually |
| Etymology: | Latin aedes 'building' + -ficare 'to make' |
| Usage: | transitive |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
edify
mid-14c., a figurative use, from O.Fr. edifier, from L. ædificare "to build, construct," in L.L. "improve spiritually, instruct" (see edifice). Related: Edified; edifying.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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