beautify, v.
(ˈbjuːtɪfaɪ)
Forms: 6 beuti-, beuty-, bewtifie, beaute-, bewti-, bewtyfy, beauti-, beauty-, bewtyfye, 6–7 beautifie, 6–8 -yfy, 6– beautify.
[f. beauty n. + -fy.]
1. trans. To render beauteous or beautiful; to make fair or lovely; to adorn, embellish, decorate.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 83 Virginite ioyned with mekenes..beautefyeth all vertues. 1576 Ld. Burghley in Thynne Animadv. (1875) App. 114 Whome princely garter, with his azurd hue, dothe bewtyfye. 1604 Hieron Wks. I. (1625) 678 To beautifie the house of God. 1697 Collier Ess. Mor. Subj. i. (1709) 69 Whose mind is..beautified with all sorts of useful Knowledge. 1703 Maundrell Journ. Jerus. (1721) 136 It is..beautified all round with exquisite Sculpture. 1860 Maury Phys. Geog. Sea x. §488 No coral islands to beautify its landscapes. |
2. refl. and intr. To grow beautiful. intr. To make oneself beautiful.
| 1593 Shakes. Lucr. 404 Each in her sleep themselves so beautify. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 111 ¶8 It must be a Prospect pleasing to God himself, to see his Creation for ever beautifying in his Eyes, and drawing nearer to him. 1902 H. James Wings of Dove v. xiv. 224 How tremendously Susie must be beautifying! |
¶ catachr. for beatify, q.v.
| 1626 L. Owen Spec. Jesuit. (1629) 31 Ignatius..was afterwards Beautified by Pope Paul. 1703 Maundrell Journ. Jerus. (1721) 64 That beautifying vision of God. |