duncifyv.
/ˈdʌnsᵻfʌɪ/, U.S. /ˈdənsəˌfaɪ/ transitive. To make a dunce of; esp. to render (a person) stupid, slow-witted, or confused.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupidity, dullness of intellect > render stupid [verb (transitive)]
sota1400
moider1587
duncify1594
effatuate1630
besot1634
incrassatea1660
cretinize1846
1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. E2v I am as it were more than dunsified twixt diuinitie and poetrie.
1652 ‘D. Menedemus’ Lex Exlex 12 They have been duncified and durted by the mists and fogs arising from our distracted English brains.
1781 Female Monitor 13 The habit of false excuse acquired, which..duncifies wit and genius.
1857 Emerson's Mag. & Putnam's Monthly Oct. 524/2 Discourage, and duncify, and cramp the minds of the young.
1989 R. Giannone Flannery O'Connor & Myst. of Love i. 26 The evangelist in motley who duncifies the Spirit to accommodate the public.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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