modernizev.
/ˈmɒdənʌɪz/, /ˈmɒdn̩ʌɪz/, U.S. /ˈmɑdərˌnaɪz/ 1. transitive. To make modern, to bring up to date; to give a modern character or appearance to; to adapt to modern needs or habits; (sometimes) spec. (a) to rewrite (an old text) in modern spelling or language; to change (obsolete spelling, words, or language) for modern equivalents; (b) to remodel and refashion (an old building) in a modern style; to provide (a house, business, etc.) with modern conveniences or equipment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the present (time) > make or render present [verb (transitive)] > make modern or update
current1602
modernize1716
the world > time > relative time > the present (time) > make or render present [verb (transitive)] > make modern or update > bring about modern conditions in
modernize1860
1716 G. Duckett (title) Homerides: or, Homer's first book moderniz'd.
1732 J. Miller Vanelia p. v Is there no altering it a little to make it more fashionable?.. Suppose we put it upon Don Carlos;—that would modernize it.
1741 G. Ogle (title) The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer, Modernis'd by several Hands.
1752 H. Fielding Covent-Garden Jrnl. 4 Jan. 1/1 I have taken the Liberty to modernize the Language.
1800 Hull Advertiser 28 June 3/4 The workmen employed in modernising the backfront of the house.
1818 J. Haslewood in Brathwait's Barnabæ Itinerarium (new ed.) Introd. 9 The text was modernized throughout.
1860 W. M. Thackeray De Juventute in Roundabout Papers Gunpowder and printing tended to modernise the world.
1880 W. H. Dixon Royal Windsor (ed. 3) III. xii. 116 No one ever dreamt of modernising Surrey's lines.
1901 Daily Express 28 Feb. 5/3 The King has decided to have Windsor Castle thoroughly modernised.
1925 Public Opinion 11 Dec. 588/3 We must spend every available penny on modernising our roads.
1938 Amer. Home Oct. 11/1 (advt.) Couldn't we modernize this house so it wouldn't be so much work?
1951 ‘J. Wyndham’ Day of Triffids xiv. 243 The house had been modernized and reconstructed.
1993 Vanity Fair (N.Y.) Feb. 163/3 After the inauguration..he launched a scorched-earth campaign to modernize Brazil, opening the country to imports..and imposing austere economic measures.
2. intransitive. To adopt modern methods, ideas, customs, etc.; to rebuild or rework something in a modern style.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the present (time) > present time [verb (intransitive)] > be or become up-to-date
modernize1753
to move with the times1875
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison II. ii. 9 He scruples not to modernize a little; but then you see, that it is in compliance with the fashion, and to avoid singularity.
1802 J. West Infidel Father I. 27 Muggleton had modernized so far as to have a chitterlin tacked into his holland shirt.
a1853 W. Jay Autobiogr. (1855) xviii. 172 Several new schools also, or to modernize—‘colleges’, for the sons of the prophets, have been established.
1937 Amer. Home Apr. 108/1 If you plan to build, re-roof or modernize, you will be enthusiastic about the many value-giving features of Eternit Timbertex.
1969 ‘A. Glyn’ Dragon Variation viii. 228 No doubt the whole hotel had been furnished like that at one time, before they threw it all out and modernised.
1989 New Scientist 10 June 21/3 If China does not modernize, we will all suffer.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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