v. Forms: 6 beuti-, beuty-, bewtifie, beaute-, bewti-, bewtyfy, beauti-, beauty-, bewtyfye, 6–7 beautifie, 6–8 -yfy, 6– beautify. [f. BEAUTY sb. + -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.
1593. Shaks., 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.
¶ 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.
