dignify
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Old French dignifier, from Late Latin dignificare, from dignus (“worthy”) + ficare (in comp.), facere (“to make”). See deign and fact.
Pronunciation[edit]
Verb[edit]
dignify (third-person singular simple present dignifies, present participle dignifying, simple past and past participle dignified)
- (transitive) To invest with dignity or honour.
- 1616, Ben Jonson, Inviting A Friend To Supper:
- Your worth will dignify our feast.
- (transitive) To give distinction to.
- 1918, Norman Lindsay, The Magic Pudding, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 10:
- Or, when more deeply moved, he would exclaim--
"As noble thoughts the inward being grace,
So noble whiskers dignify the face."
- (transitive) To exalt in rank.
- (transitive, chiefly in the negative) To treat as worthy or acceptable; to indulge or condone by acknowledging.
- I will not dignify that comment with a response.
Synonyms[edit]
Antonyms[edit]
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
to invest with dignity or honour
to honor