v.
Pronunciation: ik- ' sp ō z
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: ex · posed ; ex · pos · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French exposer, from Latin exponere to set forth, explain (perf. indicative exposui ), from ex- + ponere to put, place ― more at POSITION
Date: 15th century
1 a : to deprive of shelter, protection, or care : subject to risk from a harmful action or condition < expose troops needlessly> <has not yet been exposed to measles> b : to submit or make accessible to a particular action or influence < expose children to good books> especially : to subject (a sensitive photographic film, plate, or paper) to radiant energy c : to abandon (an infant) especially by leaving in the open
2 a : to make known : bring to light (as something shameful) b : to disclose the faults or crimes of < expose a murderer>
3 : to cause to be visible or open to view : DISPLAY : as a : to offer publicly for sale b : to exhibit for public veneration c : to reveal the face of (a playing card) or the cards of (a player's hand) d : to engage in indecent exposure of (oneself)
synonyms see SHOW
– ex · pos · er noun