Etymology Map
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Dignify

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means to make something seem worthy

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

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

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.