dignify
verbUK /ˈdɪɡnɪfaɪ/
Etymology From Old French dignifier, from Late Latin dignificare, from dignus (“worthy”) + ficare (in comp.), facere (“to make”). See deign and fact.
1
To invest with dignity or honour.
- Your worth will dignify our feast.1616, Ben Jonson, Inviting A Friend To Supper:
2
To give distinction to.
- Or, when more deeply moved, he would exclaim-- "As noble thoughts the inward being grace, So noble whiskers dignify the face."1918, Norman Lindsay, The Magic Pudding, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 10:
3
To exalt in rank.
4
In the negative To treat as worthy or acceptable; to indulge or condone by acknowledging.
- I will not dignify that comment with a response.
- Derived terms
- dignifiable, undignify
- Related terms
- dignification, dignified, dignity