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stultify

 - 2 dictionary results

stul⋅ti⋅fy

  [stuhl-tuh-fahy]
Use stultify in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -fied, -fy⋅ing.
1. to make, or cause to appear, foolish or ridiculous.
2. to render absurdly or wholly futile or ineffectual, esp. by degrading or frustrating means: Menial work can stultify the mind.
3. Law. to allege or prove (oneself or another) to be of unsound mind.
Origin:
1760–70; < LL stultificāre, equiv. to L stult(us) stupid + -i- -i- + -ficāre -fy

Related forms:
stul⋅ti⋅fi⋅ca⋅tion, noun
stul⋅ti⋅fi⋅er, noun
stul⋅ti⋅fy⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
2. cripple, impede, frustrate, hinder, thwart.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To stultify
stul·ti·fy   (stŭl'tə-fī')   
tr.v.   stul·ti·fied, stul·ti·fy·ing, stul·ti·fies

  1. To render useless or ineffectual; cripple.

  2. To cause to appear stupid, inconsistent, or ridiculous.

  3. Law To allege or prove insane and so not legally responsible.


[Late Latin stultificāre, to make foolish : Latin stultus, foolish; see stel- in Indo-European roots + Latin -ficāre, -fy.]
stul'ti·fi·ca'tion (-fĭ-kā'shən) n., stul'ti·fi'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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