edify

Etymology

From Old French edifier (“to build, to edify”), from Latin aedificare (“build”).

verb

  1. (now rare) To build, construct.
  2. (transitive) To instruct or improve morally or intellectually.
    January 23, 1783, Edward Gibbon, letter to Dr. Priestley It does not appear probable that our dispute [about miracles] would either edify or enlighten the public.
    That they ought to edify one another by maintaining and promoting the knowledge of truth. 1813, The Connecticut Evangelical Magazine, Vol. VI, page 455
    frustrate the best endeavours in the edifying of the church 1641, Francis Bacon, A Wise and Moderate Discourse, Concerning Church-Affaires

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