show

I. verb (showed; shown or showed; showing) Etymology: Middle English shewen, showen, from Old English scēawian to look, look at, see; akin to Old High German scouwōn to look, look at, and probably to Latin cavēre to be on one's guard Date: 12th century transitive verb 1. to cause or permit to be seen ; exhibit <

showed pictures of the baby

> 2. to offer for sale <

stores were showing new spring suits

> 3. to present as a public spectacle ; perform 4. to reveal by one's condition, nature, or behavior <

showed themselves to be cowards

> 5. to give indication or record of <

an anemometer shows wind speed

> 6. a. to point out ; direct attention to <

showed the view from the terrace

> b. conduct, usher <

showed me to an aisle seat

> 7. accord, bestow <

shows them no mercy

> 8. a. to set forth ; declare b. allege, plead — used especially in law <

show cause

> 9. a. to demonstrate or establish by argument or reasoning <

show a plan to be faulty

> b. inform, instruct <

showed me how to solve the problem

> 10. to present (an animal) for judging in a show intransitive verb 1. a. to be or come in view <

3:15 showed on the clock

> b. to put in an appearance <

failed to show

> 2. a. to appear in a particular way <

anger showed in their faces

> b. seem, appear 3. a. to give a theatrical performance b. to be staged or presented 4. a. to appear as a contestant b. to present an animal in a show 5. to finish third or at least third (as in a horse race) 6. to exhibit one's artistic work • showable adjective Synonyms: show, exhibit, display, expose, parade, flaunt mean to present so as to invite notice or attention. show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine <

showed her snapshots to the whole group

>. exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly <

exhibit paintings at a gallery

>. display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage <

display sale items

>. expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying <

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

>. parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying <

parading their piety for all to see

>. flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading <

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

>. Synonyms: show, manifest, evidence, evince, demonstrate mean to reveal outwardly or make apparent. show is the general term but sometimes implies that what is revealed must be gained by inference from acts, looks, or words <

careful not to show his true feelings

>. manifest implies a plainer, more immediate revelation <

manifested musical ability at an early age

>. evidence suggests serving as proof of the actuality or existence of something <

a commitment evidenced by years of loyal service

>. evince implies a showing by outward marks or signs <

evinced not the slightest fear

>. demonstrate implies showing by action or by display of feeling <

demonstrated their approval by loud applause

>. II. noun Usage: often attributive Date: 13th century 1. a demonstrative display <

a show of strength

> 2. a. archaic outward appearance b. a false semblance ; pretense <

made a show of friendship

> c. a more or less true appearance of something ; sign d. an impressive display <

his role as househusband…was purely for show — John Lahr

> e. ostentation 3. chance 2 <

gave him a show in spite of his background

> 4. something exhibited especially for wonder or ridicule ; spectacle 5. a. a large display or exhibition arranged to arouse interest or stimulate sales <

the national auto show

> b. a competitive exhibition of animals (as dogs) to demonstrate quality in breeding 6. a. a theatrical presentation b. a radio or television program c. entertainment 3b(1) 7. enterprise, affair <

they ran the whole show

> 8. third place at the finish (as of a horse race) 9. often capitalized the major leagues in baseball — used with the