edificare

to build

verb eh-dee-fee-KAH-reh Rare

Origin: From Latin 'aedificare', to build, from 'aedes' (building) + 'facere' (to make).

Also means

to edify

Usage Note

Edificare means to construct a building and, in a moral/religious register, to uplift or edify someone spiritually: una storia edificante (an edifying story). It is more formal than costruire (to build) in the literal sense. The adjective edificante (edifying) is common; poco edificante (not exactly edifying) is a sardonic set phrase.

Examples

"Vogliono edificare un nuovo quartiere residenziale."

Natural Translation

They want to build a new residential neighbourhood.

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