expose

Where does the word "expose" come from? It comes from Latin ex ponere, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Expose’s story begins in Latin: ex ponere meant “to put out, to set forth.” To put out, to set forth, from ex- (out) and ponere (to place). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as exposer. Carried into French for putting something on display. It reached English by 1400s as expose. Settled as the English word for revealing something hidden. Today, expose means to reveal something hidden, or to leave something unprotected.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ex ponere "to put out, to set forth", to put out, to set forth, from ex- (out) and ponere (to place).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval exposer "to put something on display", carried into French for putting something on display.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s expose "to reveal something hidden or protected", settled as the English word for revealing something hidden.