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display

[dih-spley]
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verb (used with object)
  1. to show or exhibit; make visible: to display a sign.
  2. to reveal; betray: to display fear.
  3. to unfold; open out; spread out: to display a sail.
  4. to show ostentatiously; flaunt.
  5. Printing. to give special prominence to (words, captions, etc.) by choice, size, and arrangement of type.
  6. Digital Technology. to output (data) on a screen.
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verb (used without object)
  1. (of animals) to engage in a stereotyped behavior that conveys information to individuals of the same or another species.
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noun
  1. an act or instance of displaying; exhibition: a display of courage.
  2. an ostentatious show: a vulgar display of wealth.
  3. Printing.
    1. 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.
    2. printed matter thus displayed.
  4. an arrangement, as of merchandise, art objects, or flowers, designed to please the eye, attract buyers, etc.
  5. Digital Technology.
    1. the visual representation of the output of an electronic device.
    2. the portion of an electronic device that shows this representation, as a screen, lens, or reticle.
  6. Animal Behavior.
    1. 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.
    2. an instance of such behavior.
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Origin of display

1250–1300; Middle English desplayen < Anglo-French, Old French despleier < Late Latin displicāre to unfold. See dis-1, plicate
Related formsdis·play·er, nounpre·dis·play, noun, verb (used with object)re·dis·play, verb (used with object)self-dis·play, nounun·dis·play·ing, adjective

Synonyms

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4. flourish, parade, air.

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.

Antonyms

1, 2. conceal.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

exhibitparadedemonstrationactarraypresentationexamplerevealboastrepresentperformemblazonflashfeaturepublishunveilflauntdisclosedemonstrateadvertise

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British Dictionary definitions for display

display

verb
  1. (tr) to show or make visible
  2. (tr) to disclose or make evident; revealto display anger
  3. (tr) to flaunt in an ostentatious wayto display military might
  4. (tr) to spread or open out; unfurl or unfold
  5. (tr) to give prominence to (headings, captions, etc) by the use of certain typefaces
  6. (intr) zoology to engage in a display
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noun
  1. the act of exhibiting or displaying; showa display of fear
  2. something exhibited or displayed
  3. an ostentatious or pretentious exhibitiona display of his accomplishments
    1. an arrangement of certain typefaces to give prominence to headings, captions, advertisements, etc
    2. printed matter that is eye-catching
  5. electronics
    1. a device capable of representing information visually, as on a cathode-ray tube screen
    2. the information so presented
  6. 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
  7. (modifier) relating to or using typefaces that give prominence to the words they are used to set
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Derived Formsdisplayer, noun

Word Origin

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

v.

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.

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n.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper