reveal

I. transitive verb Etymology: Middle English revelen, from Anglo-French reveler, from Latin revelare to uncover, reveal, from re- + velare to cover, veil, from velum veil Date: 14th century 1. to make known through divine inspiration 2. to make (something secret or hidden) publicly or generally known <

reveal a secret

> 3. to open up to view ; display <

the uncurtained window revealed a cluttered room

> • revealable adjective • revealer noun Synonyms: reveal, disclose, divulge, tell, betray mean to make known what has been or should be concealed. reveal may apply to supernatural or inspired revelation of truths beyond the range of ordinary human vision or reason <

divine will as revealed in sacred writings

>. disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret <

candidates must disclose their financial assets

>. divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence <

refused to divulge an anonymous source

>. tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information <

told them what he had overheard

>. betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure <

a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

>. II. noun Etymology: alteration of earlier revale, probably ultimately from Middle French ravaler to reduce the depth of (masonry or wood), literally, to take back down, from Old French, from re- + avaler to let fall — more at vail Date: 1688 the side of an opening (as for a window) between a frame and the outer surface of a wall; also jamb