Etymologically
Log in

expose

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 17 October 2026 at 06:19. This address is a permanent link to this version.
← Previous version Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /ɪkˈspəʊz/, US /ɪkˈspoʊz/[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Middle French exposer,[2][3][4] which replaced Latin expōnere, to set forth, lay open, explain (see expound), by confusion with poser, to place (see pose),[2][5][6] and was influenced by its participle expositus.[6][5] Barnhart thinks it may in part be a back-formation from exposition.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

To lay open, set forth, make known: before 1422;[2] to lay open to danger or ridicule, 1474 in the OED;[7] to leave without shelter, the early 15th century in Etymonline.[3]

Semantic evolution

To leave something without shelter is from about 1477,[7] and to abandon an infant from 1611.[7] To exhibit openly is from the 1620s, and to unmask from the 1690s.[3] The photographic sense, to subject film to light, is from 1839.[3] The noun exposé, a revealing of crime or scandal, is from 1803, first as a French word in reference to Napoleon.[2][3][5]

Timeline

  • before 1422 – to lay open.[2]
  • 1474 – to expose to danger.[7]
  • 1611 – to abandon an infant.[7]
  • 1690s – to unmask.[3]
  • 1803 – exposé.[2][3]
  • 1839 – photographic sense.[3]

Modern meaning

Verb

  1. To uncover or leave unprotected, as to danger, weather or harm.
  2. To make known something hidden or shameful; to reveal or unmask.
  3. To let light fall on a photographic film.
  4. To display for viewing.

Word family

  • exposer
  • exposable
  • exposability
  • exposal
  • exposition
  • exposure
  • overexpose
  • preexpose

Usage notes

The noun exposé is pronounced /ekˈspəʊ.zeɪ/ in British English and /ˌek.spoʊˈzeɪ/ in American English.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ a b Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press