edify

[ ed-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈɛd ə faɪ /

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 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

OTHER WORDS FROM edify

Words nearby edify

edicule, edie, edification, edificatory, edifice, edify, edile, edina, edinburg, edinburgh, edirne

Example sentences from the Web for unedifying

British Dictionary definitions for unedifying (1 of 2)

unedifying
/ (ʌnˈɛdɪˌfaɪɪŋ) /

adjective

not having the result of improving morality, intellect, etc

British Dictionary definitions for unedifying (2 of 2)

edify
/ (ˈɛdɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

(tr) to improve the morality, intellect, etc, of, esp by instruction

Derived forms of edify

edifier, noun edifying, adjective edifyingly, adverb

Word Origin for edify

C14: from Old French edifier, from Latin aedificāre to construct, from aedēs a dwelling, temple + facere to make