EDIFY

transitive verb (-fied; -fying) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French edifier, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin aedificare to instruct or improve spiritually, from Latin, to erect a house, from aedes temple, house; akin to Old English ād funeral pyre, Latin aestas summer Date: 14th century 1. archaic build , establish , to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge ; uplift