disclose

the word "disclose" originates from the latin verb "disclaudere," a combination of "dis-" (apart) and "claudere" (to shut or close). the literal sense was "to open up something that is shut," such as a door or a container. this physical meaning of opening was metaphorically extended in late latin and old french to the act of revealing or making known what was previously concealed or secret. the modern english meaning, which emerged in the 16th century, fully abstracts this action to the realm of information, retaining the core logic of moving something from a state of being closed or hidden to one of being open and revealed.

Structure: dis (apart, away) + close (shut) "dis-" is a Latin prefix meaning "apart, away, having a negative or reversing force." "close" is from the Latin root "claus-" (shut, closed), which entered English via Old French.