I. di-ˈsplā verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French desplaier, desploier, literally, to unfold — more at deploy
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to put or spread before the view
display the flag
b. : to make evident
display ed great skill
c. : to exhibit ostentatiously
liked to display his erudition
2. obsolete : descry
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : show off
2. : to make a breeding display
penguins display ed and copulated
Synonyms: see show
• dis·play·able -ˈsplā-ə-bəl adjective
II. noun
Usage: often attributive
Date: 1665
1.
a.
(1) : a setting or presentation of something in open view
a fireworks display
(2) : a clear sign or evidence : exhibition
a display of courage
b. : ostentatious show
c. : type, composition, or printing designed to catch the eye
d. : an eye-catching arrangement by which something is exhibited
a display of artifacts
— often used with on
her early paintings are currently on display
e. : an electronic device (as a cathode-ray tube) that presents information in visual form ; also : the visual information
2. : a pattern of behavior exhibited especially by male birds in the breeding season