dignify

Where does the word "dignify" come from? It comes from Late Latin dignificare, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Dignify’s story begins in Late Latin: dignificare meant “to make worthy.” 'dignus', worthy, plus 'facere', to make. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as dignifier. Medieval Latin 'dignificare', to make worthy, joined 'dignus' (worthy) and 'facere' (to make). It reached English by 1400s as dignify. 'dignified' followed. Today, dignify means to make something seem worthy.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient dignificare "to make worthy", 'dignus', worthy, plus 'facere', to make.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval dignifier "to dignify", Medieval Latin 'dignificare', to make worthy, joined 'dignus' (worthy) and 'facere' (to make).
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s dignify "to honour", 'dignified' followed.