stul·ti·fy (stŭl'tə-fī')
tr.v., -fied, -fy·ing, -fies.

1. To render useless or ineffectual; cripple.
2. To cause to appear stupid, inconsistent, or ridiculous.
3. Law. To allege or prove insane and so not legally responsible.

[Late Latin stultificāre, to make foolish : Latin stultus, foolish + Latin -ficāre, -fy.]

stultification stul'ti·fi·ca'tion (-fĭ-kā'shən) n.
stultifier stul'ti·fi'er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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