The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ENNOBLING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
E
N
N
O
B
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G
More clues leading to the result ENNOBLING
- Making one count, perhaps, in French: nothing flashy!
- Giving title to book and nine long works
- Honouring good maid, holding nothing back
- Points to lack of showy jewellery as dignifying
- Entitling one to return, if note is retained, jewellery
- Elevating one rising accepting new finery
- Fashion neon jewellery — it can be dignifying
- Bringing dignity to opera company embracing new flashy opulence
- Nurse lacking medallions perhaps gets elevation
- Providing a subject with a title?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "dignifying" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case dignifying = ennobling.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ENNOBLING mean?
ENNOBLING verb- To bestow with nobility, honour or grace.
- To perform on a fabric the industrial processes of dry-cleaning, printing and embossing, and sizing and finishing.
- An act of making noble.