Etymology Map
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Display

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to put on show

Where does the word "display" come from? It comes from Latin displicare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
displicare
Latin · ancient
"to unfold"
'dis-' plus 'plicare', to fold
2
Stage 2 of 3
despleier
Old French · medieval
"to unfold"
used of banners
3
Stage 3 of 3
display
English · 1300s
"to unfold"
computer 'displays' date from the 1900s
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Read the full story

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.