dignify

From Old French dignifier, from Late Latin dignificare, from dignus (“worthy”) + ficare (in comp.), facere (“to make”). See deign and fact.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdɪɡnɪfaɪ/

dignify (third-person singular simple present dignifies, present participle dignifying, simple past and past participle dignified)

1. (transitive) To invest with dignity or honour.
   • Ben Jonson

     Your worth will dignify our feast.

2. (transitive) To give distinction to.
3. (transitive) To exalt in rank.
4. (transitive, chiefly in the negative) To treat as worthy or acceptable; to indulge or condone by acknowledging.

   I will not dignify that comment with a response.

• exalt
• elevate
• prefer
• advance
• honor
• illustrate
• adorn
• ennoble

• demean
• humiliate
• mortify
• shame

• dignity
• dignification
• dignified