-ī transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle French dignefier, dignifier, from Late Latin dignificare, from Latin dignus worthy + -ficare -fy — more at decent
1. : to invest with dignity or honor : make illustrious : give distinction to : exalt , ennoble
your worth will dignify our feast — Ben Jonson
2. : to confer dignity upon by changing name, appearance, or character
dignify a style with imagery
dignify thievery by calling it kleptomania