edify

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To build, construct.

   That Castle was most goodly edifyde, / And plaste for pleasure nigh that forrest syde […]

2. 2
   verb

   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.

3. 3
   verb

   make understand

Etymology

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