Dignify

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈdɪɡnɪfaɪ/

Definitions

1. To enhance the perceived value or status of an individual or concept
2. To show or express respect and importance toward a person or idea
3. To raise the status or esteem of someone or something by treating it with reverence

Etymology: "Dignify" is built from two Latin pieces: "dignus," meaning "worthy," and the verb-forming element "-ficare," from "facere," "to make." Put together, the word means roughly "to make worthy," and that core idea still shows in its modern sense of lending someone or something honour or status. The route into English ran through Old French "dignifier" and the Late Latin "dignificare" that lay behind it. The same "dignus" also gave English "dignity" and "dignitary," and the word shares a family with "deign," which entered English from Old French "deignier," meaning to think something worthy of one's notice. So "dignify" and "deign" are close relatives: both grew from the idea of being judged worthy, one leaning toward honour and the other toward condescension.

Synonyms: honor, exalt, elevate, ennoble, validate

Antonyms: demean, disgrace, humiliate, belittle, degrade