US /ˈvɪvɪfaɪ/ UK /ˈvɪvɪfaɪ/
verb Freq #410466

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    to give life, vitality, or renewed energy to someone or something

    The strange gases were believed either to kill or to vivify the organisms nearby.

  2. 2
    verb

    to make an account, image, or idea more vivid, lively, or striking

    A few precise details can vivify an otherwise abstract historical narrative.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to give life, vitality, or... animateenlivenrevitalizeinvigorate
2 verb · to make an account, image,... enlivenanimatebrightenembellish
Opposites
deadendulldevitalize
Word family
Derived forms autovivify

Etymology

Borrowed through Old French vivifier from Late Latin vivificare, 'to make alive,' formed from Latin vivus, 'alive,' + facere, 'to make or do.' The literal idea of giving life broadened naturally to making speech, art, or thought more vivid.

Topics

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