edify Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make understand
    enlighten.
    • Can you enlighten me--I don't understand this proposal

WordNet

Ed"i*fy intransitive verb
Etymology
F. édifier, L. aedificare; aedes a building, house, orig., a fireplace (akin to Gr. to burn, Skr. idh to kindle, OHG. eit funeral pile, AS. ad, OIr. aed fire) + facere to make. See Fact, -fy.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Edified ; present participle & verbal noun Edifying
Definitions
  1. To build; to construct. Archaic
    There was a holy chapel edified. Spenser.
  2. To instruct and improve, especially in moral and religious knowledge; to teach.
    It does not appear probable that our dispute [about miracles] would either edify or enlighten the public. Gibbon.
  3. To teach or persuade. Obs. Bacon.
Ed"i*fy intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To improve. R. Swift.

Webster 1913