Build, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Built; p. pr. & vb. n. Building. The regular imp. & p. p. Builded is antiquated.]
Etymology: [OE. bulden, bilden, AS. byldan to build, fr. bold house; cf. Icel. bol farm, abode, Dan. bol small farm, OSw. bol, böle, house, dwelling, fr. root of Icel. b to dwell; akin to E. be, bower, boor. sq. root97.]
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 one's 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.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
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 one's self or one's 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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists build only as an antonym, under demolish.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.