display

[ dih-spley ]

/ dɪˈspleɪ /

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verb (used with object)

to show or exhibit; make visible: to display a sign.

to reveal; betray: to display fear.

to unfold; open out; spread out: to display a sail.

to show ostentatiously; flaunt.

Printing. to give special prominence to (words, captions, etc.) by choice, size, and arrangement of type.

Digital Technology. to output (data) on a screen.

verb (used without object)

(of animals) to engage in a stereotyped behavior that conveys information to individuals of the same or another species.

noun

an act or instance of displaying; exhibition: a display of courage.

an ostentatious show: a vulgar display of wealth.

Printing.

the giving of prominence to particular words, sentences, etc., by the choice, size, and arrangement of types and position, as in an advertisement, headline, or news story.
printed matter thus displayed.

an arrangement, as of merchandise, art objects, or flowers, designed to please the eye, attract buyers, etc.

Digital Technology.

the visual representation of the output of an electronic device.
the portion of an electronic device that shows this representation, as a screen, lens, or reticle.

Animal Behavior.

a pattern of behavior, as posturing, calling, or exposing a color patch, that conveys information to individuals of the same or another species: a threat display.
an instance of such behavior.

Nearby words

Origin of display

1250–1300; Middle English desplayen < Anglo-French, Old French despleier < Late Latin displicāre to unfold. See dis-¹, plicate

SYNONYMS FOR display

4 flourish, parade, air.

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ANTONYMS FOR display

1, 2 conceal.

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Related forms

dis·play·er, nounpre·dis·play, noun, verb (used with object)re·dis·play, verb (used with object)self-dis·play, noun

un·dis·play·ing, adjective

Synonym study

1, 2. Display, evince, exhibit, manifest mean to show or bring to the attention of another or others. To display is literally to spread something out so that it may be most completely and favorably seen: to display goods for sale. To exhibit is to display something in a show: to exhibit the best flowers. They may both be used for showing (off) one's qualities or feelings: He displayed his wit. He exhibited great surprise. To evince and to manifest also mean to show feelings or qualities: to evince or manifest surprise, interest. 8. See show.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for display

Another 10 slaves threw themselves overboard in a display of defiance at the inhumanity.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Promo shots for Dee Dee King, taken by famed rock photographer Bob Gruen, are also on display at the Storefront Gallery.
‘All Good Cretins Go to Heaven’: Dee Dee Ramone’s Twisted Punk Paintings|Melissa Leon|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So, the display—which has the aesthetic sophistication of a middle school science project—will go up for week.
In Florida, ’Tis The Season for Satan|Jay Michaelson|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Especially not when the display in question includes an angel falling from the sky in flames, surrounded by Biblical verses.
In Florida, ’Tis The Season for Satan|Jay Michaelson|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Satanic Temple won a battle to put a display in the Florida state capitol, but the religious right is fighting a bigger war.
In Florida, ’Tis The Season for Satan|Jay Michaelson|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Across the street he saw a window with a display of camping equipment, portable stoves, boots, rifles.
It Could Be Anything|John Keith Laumer
I have not left him an excuse; and then it is that I display all my courtesy, in order to attain the happy issue of my project.
Louise de la Valliere|Alexandre Dumas, Pere
The display of cowardice was needless, for the Indian rapidly overtracked him.
Menotah|Ernest G. Henham
He knew the power of constant attention, and the display of ardent passion, to win the female heart.
Tales And Novels, Volume 7 (of 10)|Maria Edgeworth
The whole wound up with a display on the part of the archers.
Intimate China|Mrs. Archibald Little

British Dictionary definitions for display

display

/ (dɪˈspleɪ) /

verb

(tr) to show or make visible

(tr) to disclose or make evident; revealto display anger

(tr) to flaunt in an ostentatious wayto display military might

(tr) to spread or open out; unfurl or unfold

(tr) to give prominence to (headings, captions, etc) by the use of certain typefaces

(intr) zoology to engage in a display

noun

the act of exhibiting or displaying; showa display of fear

something exhibited or displayed

an ostentatious or pretentious exhibitiona display of his accomplishments

an arrangement of certain typefaces to give prominence to headings, captions, advertisements, etc
printed matter that is eye-catching

electronics

a device capable of representing information visually, as on a cathode-ray tube screen
the information so presented

zoology a pattern of behaviour in birds, fishes, etc, by which the animal attracts attention while it is courting the female, defending its territory, etc

(modifier) relating to or using typefaces that give prominence to the words they are used to set

Derived Formsdisplayer, noun

Word Origin for display

C14: from Anglo-French despleier to unfold, from Late Latin displicāre to scatter, from dis- 1 + plicāre to fold

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for display (1 of 2)

display

late 13c., "unfurl" (a banner, etc.), from Old French desploiir (Modern French déployer) "unfold, unfasten, spread out" (of knots, sealed letters, etc.), from Latin displicare "to scatter," from dis- "un-, apart" (see dis-) + plicare "to fold" (see ply (v.1)).

Properly of sails or flags (and unconnected to play); meaning "reveal, exhibit" is late 14c. Related: Displayed; displaying.

Word Origin and History for display (1 of 2)

display

1580s, "description," from display (v.). Meaning "exhibition" is from 1680s.

display

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of display

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for display

British Dictionary definitions for display

display

verb

noun

Word Origin for display

Word Origin and History for display (1 of 2)

display

Word Origin and History for display (1 of 2)

display