damnify

[ dam-nuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, Law.

, dam·ni·fied, dam·ni·fy·ing.

1. to cause loss or damage to.

damnify

/ ˈdæmnɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. law to cause loss or damage to (a person); injure

Derived Forms

• ˌdamnifiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• un·damni·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of damnify¹

1505–15; < Middle French damnifier, Old French < Late Latin damnificāre, derivative of Latin damnific ( us ) harmful, equivalent to damn ( um ) damage + -ificus ( -i-, -fic ); -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of damnify¹

C16: from Old French damnifier, ultimately from Latin damnum harm, + facere to make

Example Sentences

It was just within the bounds of probability that they might be able to overthrow that remarkable pedestrian tour; or they might light on other facts tending to elucidate his connection with Michael Sinson; or at least might further damnify his general character.

From Project Gutenberg

Stormed Justice McReynolds: "I presume Missouri may . . . break down the settled practice concerning separate schools and thereby, as indicated by experience, damnify both races."

From Time Magazine Archive

"Alexander commanded his soldiers neither to damnify Pindarus, the poet, nor any of his family."

From Project Gutenberg

Secondly, a man may damnify another by preventing him from obtaining what he was on the way to obtain.

From Project Gutenberg

In Haverhill, in 1708, young women were permitted to build pews, provided they did not "damnify the Stairway."

From Project Gutenberg