lionize

[lahy-uh-nahyz] Origin

li·on·ize

[lahy-uh-nahyz] verb, li·on·ized, li·on·iz·ing.
verb (used with object)
1.
to treat (a person) as a celebrity: to lionize the visiting poet.
2.
British. to visit or exhibit the objects of interest of (a place).
verb (used without object)
3.
to pursue celebrities or seek their company.
4.
British. to visit the objects of interest of a place.

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Lionize is one of our favorite verbs.
So is subtilize. Does it mean:
to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about.
to run away hurriedly; flee.
Also, especially British, li·on·ise.


Origin:
1800–10; lion + ize

li·on·i·za·tion, noun
li·on·iz·er, noun
un·li·on·ized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To lionize
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World English Dictionary
lionize or lionise (ˈlaɪəˌnaɪz)
 
vb
(tr) to treat as or make into a celebrity
 
lionise or lionise
 
vb
 
lioni'zation or lionise
 
n
 
lioni'sation or lionise
 
n
 
'lionizer or lionise
 
n
 
'lioniser or lionise
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

lionize
"to treat (someone) as a celebrity," used by Scott, 1809, and preserves lion in the sense of "person of note who is much sought-after" (1715), originally in reference to the lions formerly kept in the Tower of London (referred to thus from late 16c.), objects of general curiosity
EXPAND
that every visitor in town was taken to see. Related: Lionized.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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