showcase English · revision 14954

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1835}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈʃəʊ.keɪs/, US /ˈʃoʊ.keɪs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound, [[af|en|show|case]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A glass case for displaying delicate or valuable things: 1835.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Attributive and adjectival use is from 1903.^(OED 1989) Figuratively, a place or medium for presenting something attractively, it is attested by 1937,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the verb, at first American, by 1945.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1835 – a glass display case.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1937 – a showcase (figurative).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1945 – to showcase (verb).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A glass case for displaying objects in a shop or museum.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A setting in which something is shown to its best advantage.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To display prominently, especially to advantage.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Displayed, or worthy of display, as in a showcase.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[show]]

+ * [[case]]

+ * [[showpiece]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}