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exposition

 - 3 dictionary results

ex⋅po⋅si⋅tion

  [ek-spuh-zish-uhn]
Use exposition in a Sentence
–noun
1. a large-scale public exhibition or show, as of art or manufactured products: an exposition of 19th-century paintings; an automobile exposition.
2. the act of expounding, setting forth, or explaining: the exposition of a point of view.
3. writing or speech primarily intended to convey information or to explain; a detailed statement or explanation; explanatory treatise: The students prepared expositions on familiar essay topics.
4. the act of presenting to view; display: The singer gave a splendid exposition of vocal talent.
5. exposure (def. 10).
6. the state of being exposed; exposure.
7. Music. the first section of a fugue or a sonata form, in which the principal themes normally are introduced.
8. (in a play, novel, etc.) dialogue, description, etc., that gives the audience or reader the background of the characters and the present situation.
Origin:
1300–50; ME exposicioun < L expositiōn- (s. of expositiō), equiv. to exposit(us) (see expose ) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
ex⋅po⋅si⋅tion⋅al, adjective

Synonyms:
1. exhibit, demonstration, display, presentation. 3. elucidation, commentary; critique, interpretation, exegesis, explication.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To exposition
ex·po·si·tion   (ěk'spə-zĭsh'ən)   
n.  

  1. A setting forth of meaning or intent.

    1. A statement or rhetorical discourse intended to give information about or an explanation of difficult material.

    2. The art or technique of composing such discourses.

    3. The first part of a composition in sonata form that introduces the themes.

    4. The opening section of a fugue.

  3. Music

    1. The first part of a composition in sonata form that introduces the themes.

    2. The opening section of a fugue.

  4. The part of a play that provides the background information needed to understand the characters and the action.

  5. An act or example of exposing.

  6. A public exhibition or show, as of artistic or industrial developments.


[Middle English exposicioun, from Old French exposition, from Latin expositiō, expositiōn-, from expositus, past participle of expōnere, to expound; see expound.]
ex·pos'i·tive (ĭk-spŏz'ĭ-tĭv), ex·pos'i·to'ry (-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) adj., ex·pos'i·tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

exposition 
1388, "explanation, narration," from O.Fr. exposition, from L. expositio, from expositus, pp. of exponere (see expound). The meaning "public display" is first recorded 1851 in reference to the Crystal Palace Exposition in London. Abbreviation Expo is first associated with the world's fair held in Montreal in 1967.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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