respectabilizev.
/rᵻˈspɛktəbl̩ʌɪz/, /rᵻˈspɛktəbəlʌɪz/, U.S. /rəˈspɛktəbəˌlaɪz/, /riˈspɛktəbəˌlaɪz/ transitive. To make respectable.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > reputability or honourableness > render reputable or respectable [verb (transitive)]
gentilize1581
gild1584
ingentilize1611
respectabilize1843
1843 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 54 529 It took a long time to respectabilize its neighbourhood.
1879 M. E. Braddon Cloven Foot xxvii Mr. Desrolles left the Manor House a new man... He was respectabilised by a full purse.
1933 G. Stein Autobiogr. Alice B. Toklas v. 119 Uhde wished to respectabilise himself and she wanted to come into possession of her inheritance, which she could only do upon marriage.
1977 Daily Tel. 30 Apr. 13/4 Journalists are urged not to ‘respectabilize’ racist organizations.
1990 Jrnl. Amer. Folklore 103 283 As to the..historical references, he believed firmly these would help to respectabilize his hitherto unpublishable work.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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