Category:Edify

Ed"i*fy, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Edified; p. pr. & vb. n. Edifying.] Etym: [F. édifier, L. aedificare; aedes a building, house, orig., a fireplace (akin to Gr. idh to kindle, OHG. eit funeral pile, AS. ad, OIr. aed fire) + facere to make. See Fact, -fy.]

1. To build; to construct. [Archaic] There was a holy chapel edified. Spenser.

2. To instruct and improve, especially in moral and religious knowledge; to teach. It does not appear probable that our dispute [about miracles] would either edify or enlighten the public. Gibbon.

3. To teach or persuade. [Obs.] Bacon.

edify Ed"i*fy, v. i.

Defn: To improve. [R.] Swift.