A one-word synonym of "to give meaning to"?
As the title suggests, I'm looking for a verb whose definition is "to give/assign meaning to", "to define a function of", "to invent a use/meaning for" or something close. This might be a little vague, but I hope I can at least get some guesses or stabs at it.
On a similar note, are there web searches that allow for finding words given their meanings?
I can only think of:
Vindicate
Justify
Legitimize
The parameters are several, but words that fit one or another of them that come to mind: imbue, inscribe, coin, imprint, mark.
No need to over-think it, though: "name" and "define" work perfectly well.
to signify; to ascribe meaning
A few options:
- coin — "He coined a phrase."
- define
- determine
- specify
- assign
- establish
- ascertain
- discover