stultify

The story

1. Latin · derived fromstultus“stupid, foolish”
2. English todaystultify

From Latin stultus (“stupid, foolish”), + -ify. Compare Late Latin stultificō.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• attested from 1950s To stunt, inhibit (progress, ideas, etc.) or make dull and uninteresting, especially through routine that is overly restrictive or limiting.
• from 19th c. To make useless or worthless.
• from early 19th c. To cause to appear foolish; to deprive of strength; to stupefy.
• attested from late 17th c. To prove to be of unsound mind or demonstrate someone's incompetence.