ˌedəfə̇ˈkāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English edificacioun, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin aedification-, aedificatio spiritual improvement, from Latin, construction, from aedificatus (past participle of aedificare to construct) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at edify
1.
a. : a building up of the mind, character, or faith : intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement
images of edification are offered to our eyes — E.R.Bentley
b. : enlightenment
examples of good quality in our public museums for the edification of the man off the street — S.L.Faison
2. archaic : construction especially of a building
the assured edification of his church — Joseph Hall