ed·i·fy

[ed-uh-fahy]
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.

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

ed·i·fi·er, noun
ed·i·fy·ing·ly, adverb
non·ed·i·fied, adjective
re·ed·i·fy, verb (used with object), re·ed·i·fied, re·ed·i·fy·ing.
un·ed·i·fied, adjective
un·ed·i·fy·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To edify
00:10
Edify is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
Collins
World English Dictionary
edify (ˈɛdɪˌfaɪ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb , -fies, -fying, -fied
(tr) to improve the morality, intellect, etc, of, esp by instruction
 
[C14: from Old French edifier, from Latin aedificāre to construct, from aedēs a dwelling, temple + facere to make]
 
'edifier
 
n
 
'edifying
 
adj
 
'edifyingly
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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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
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
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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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Example sentences
Such ought to be the zeal of every one to instruct and edify his neighbour by
  word and example.
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye
  do.
Please regale and edify us with the bounties of our goodness in government.
Despite its flaws, this volume nonetheless will edify and absorb the reader.
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