edify

Verb
Synonyms: enlighten

WordNet 3.0

Verb (1)

  1. make understand“Can you enlighten me--I don't understand this proposal”Synonyms: enlighten
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Edify \Ed"i*fy\, v. i. To improve. [R.] --Swift. [1913 Webster]
Edify \Ed"i*fy\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Edified; p. pr. & vb. n. Edifying.] [F. ['e]difier, L. aedificare; aedes a building, house, orig., a fireplace (akin to Gr. ? to burn, Skr. idh to kindle, OHG. eit funeral pile, AS. [=a]d, OIr. aed fire) + facere to make. See Fact, -fy.]

1.To build; to construct. [Archaic] [1913 Webster]

There was a holy chapel edified.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]

2.To instruct and improve, especially in moral and religious knowledge; to teach. [1913 Webster]

It does not appear probable that our dispute [about miracles] would either edify or enlighten the public.— Gibbon.[1913 Webster]

3.To teach or persuade. [Obs.] --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

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