display

[dih-spley] /dɪˈspleɪ/
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.
Computers. to output (data) on a CRT or other screen.
verb (used without object)
7.
(of animals) to engage in a stereotyped behavior that conveys information to individuals of the same or another species.
noun
8.
an act or instance of displaying; exhibition:
a display of courage.
9.
an ostentatious show:
a vulgar display of wealth.
10.
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.
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.
  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.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English desplayen < Anglo-French, Old French despleier < Late Latin displicāre to unfold. See dis-1, plicate
Related forms
displayer, noun
predisplay, noun, verb (used with object)
redisplay, verb (used with object)
self-display, noun
undisplaying, 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.
Examples from the web for display
  • No word yet on if and when the switch will be on public display.
  • Think about how hybrid-car owners become obsessed with the dashboard display showing an on-the-fly calculation of gas mileage.
  • In the living room, they created a built-in display case to showcase art and conceal stereo equipment.
  • Until recently zoos were viewed primarily as places to display animals to a curious public.
  • Males in particular may look proportionately small headed, especially when ruffling the nape feathers in display.
  • The next time you buy a cell phone, take a close look at the display panel.
  • More recently it moved back to its present home in a museum display area.
  • There are two ways to put a sense of humor on display.
  • Rainbows are a simple, ordered display of visible light reflected off of water droplets in the atmosphere.
  • The current model's large display in the center of the dash is one of the best features, imho.
British Dictionary definitions for display

display

/dɪˈspleɪ/
verb
1.
(transitive) to show or make visible
2.
(transitive) to disclose or make evident; reveal: to display anger
3.
(transitive) to flaunt in an ostentatious way: to display military might
4.
(transitive) to spread or open out; unfurl or unfold
5.
(transitive) to give prominence to (headings, captions, etc) by the use of certain typefaces
6.
(intransitive) (zoology) to engage in a display
noun
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.
  1. an arrangement of certain typefaces to give prominence to headings, captions, advertisements, etc
  2. printed matter that is eye-catching
11.
(electronics)
  1. a device capable of representing information visually, as on a cathode-ray tube screen
  2. 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
Derived Forms
displayer, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Anglo-French despleier to unfold, from Late Latin displicāre to scatter, from dis-1 + plicāre to fold
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.

n.

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

display in Technology

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)