display

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.

11.

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

12.

the visual representation of the output of an electronic device, as the screen of a cathode ray tube.

13.

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.

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

Related forms

dis·play·er, noun

pre·dis·play, noun, verb (used with object)

re·dis·play, verb (used with object)

self-dis·play, noun

un·dis·play·ing, adjective

Synonyms
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. 4. flourish, parade, air. 8. See show.

Antonyms
1, 2. conceal.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To display

Collins

World English Dictionary

display (dɪˈspleɪ)

—vb
1.	(tr) to show or make visible
2.	(tr) to disclose or make evident; reveal: to display anger
3.	(tr) to flaunt in an ostentatious way: to 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

—n
7.	the act of exhibiting or displaying; show: a display of fear
8.	something exhibited or displayed
9.	an ostentatious or pretentious exhibition: a display of his accomplishments
10.	a. an arrangement of certain typefaces to give prominence to headings, captions, advertisements, etc
	b. printed matter that is eye-catching
11.	electronics
	a. a device capable of representing information visually, as on a cathode-ray tube screen
	b. the information so presented
12.	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
13.	(modifier) relating to or using typefaces that give prominence to the words they are used to set

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

dis'player

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

display

late 13c., from O.Fr. despleier "unfold, spread out," from L. displicare "to scatter," from dis- "un-, apart" + plicare "to fold" see ply (v.)). Properly of sails or flags (and unconnected to play), meaning of "reveal, exhibit" is late 14c. Related: Displayed.

FOLDOC

Computing Dictionary

display definition

1. monitor.
2. A vector of pointers to activation records. The Nth element points to the activation record containing variables declared at lexical depth N. This allows faster access to variables from outer scopes than the alternative of linked activation records (but most variable accesses are either local or global or occasionally to the immediately enclosing scope). Displays were used in some ALGOL implementations.
(1996-02-22)

Example sentences

Until recently zoos were viewed primarily as places to display animals to a curious public.

One way was to display a scholarly knowledge of the technical terms for boiled beef.

In the living room, they created a built-in display case to showcase art and conceal stereo equipment.

Think about how hybrid-car owners become obsessed with the dashboard display showing an on-the-fly calculation of gas mileage.

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ostentation exhibit pyrotechnics showcase video display terminal active

Matching Quote

"The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey."

-unknown author