Webster's English Dictionary

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reveal

1. re.veal \ri-'ve-(*)l\ \-'ve--l*-b*l\ vt [ME revelen, fr. MF reveler, fr. 
   L revelare to uncover, revea]l, fr. re- + velare to cover, veil, fr. velum 
   veil 1: to make known through divine inspiration  2: to make publicly known 
   : DIVULGE {~ a secret}  3: to show plainly : DISPLAY , BETRAY mean to make 
   known what has been or should be concealed. REVEAL may imply an unveiling 
   of what is not clear to human vision or it may suggest public or dramatic 
   disclosure; DISCOVER implies an uncovering of matters kept secret and not 
   previously known; DISCLOSE may also imply a discovering but more often an 
   imparting of information previously kept secret; DIVULGE implies a 
   disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence; TELL implies 
   an imparting of necessary or useful information but often suggests 
   indiscretion; BETRAY implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith 
   or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure - re.veal.able aj SYN syn 
   REVEAL, DISCOVER, DISCLOSE, DIVULGE, TELL 
2. reveal n [alter. of earlier revale, fr. ME revalen to lower, fr. MF 
   reval]er, fr. re- + val valley - more at VALE : the side of an opening (as 
   for a window) between a frame and the outer s urface of a wall; also : JAMB