/ rɪˈviːl; NAmE / verb
1.
reveal sth (to sb) to make sth known to sb
SYN disclose :
[ vn ]
to reveal a secret
Details of the murder were revealed by the local paper.
[ v ( that )]
The report reveals (that) the company made a loss of £20 million last year.
[ vn ( that )]
It was revealed that important evidence had been suppressed.
[ v wh- ]
Officers could not reveal how he died.
[also vn to inf ]
2.
[ vn ] to show sth that previously could not be seen
SYN display :
He laughed, revealing a line of white teeth.
The door opened to reveal a cosy little room.
She crouched in the dark, too frightened to reveal herself .
—see also revelation , revelatory
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French reveler or Latin revelare , from re- again (expressing reversal) + velum veil.