Build (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Built (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Building. The regular imp. & p. p. Builded is antiquated.] [OE. bulden, bilden, AS. byldan to build, fr. bold house; cf. Icel. bōl farm, abode, Dan. bol small farm, OSw. bol, böle, house, dwelling, fr. root of Icel. b?a to dwell; akin to E. be, bower, boor. √97.]

1. To erect or construct, as an edifice or fabric of any kind; to form by uniting materials into a regular structure; to fabricate; to make; to raise.

Nor aught availed him now To have built in heaven high towers. Milton.

2. To raise or place on a foundation; to form, establish, or produce by using appropriate means.

Who builds his hopes in air of your good looks. Shak.

"3. To increase and strengthen; to increase the power and stability of; to settle, or establish, and preserve; -- frequently with up; as, to build up ones constitution."

I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up. Acts xx. 32.

Syn. -- To erect; construct; raise; found; frame.

Build (?), v. i.

1. To exercise the art, or practice the business, of building.

"2. To rest or depend, as on a foundation; to ground ones self or ones hopes or opinions upon something deemed reliable; to rely; as, to build on the opinions or advice of others."

Build , n. Form or mode of construction; general figure; make; as, the build of a ship.

-- Webster's unabridged 1913