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Where does the word "display" come from? It comes from Latin displicare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "display" come from? It comes from Latin displicare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Display’s story begins in Latin: displicare meant “to unfold.” 'dis-' plus 'plicare', to fold. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as despleier. Used of banners. It reached English by 1300s as display. Computer 'displays' date from the 1900s. Today, display means to put on show.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient displicare "to unfold", 'dis-' plus 'plicare', to fold.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval despleier "to unfold", used of banners.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s display "to unfold", computer 'displays' date from the 1900s.