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Today it means

reveal

to make known

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

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

Reveal’s story begins in Latin: revelare meant “to unveil.” 're-', back, plus 'velum', veil. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as reveler. Used of divine revelation. It reached English by 1300s as reveal. 'Revelation' is the last book of the Bible. Today, reveal means to make known.

  1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient revelare "to unveil", 're-', back, plus 'velum', veil.
  2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval reveler "to disclose", used of divine revelation.
  3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s reveal "to disclose", 'Revelation' is the last book of the Bible.

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