revelation
UK[ˌrevəˈleɪʃn]US[ˌrevəˈleɪʃn]
n
a surprising and previously unknown fact that has been disclosed to others
n
the making known of something that was previously secret or unknown
n
a remarkable or surprising disclosure or insight
Morpheme Breakdown
re
vel
ation
re
again
vel
veil
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'revelation' originates from the latin 'revelatio', which itself derives from the verb 'revelare', meaning "to unveil" or "to disclose." this verb is composed of the prefix 're-' (indicating reversal or removal) and 'velare' (to cover or veil), from 'velum' (a veil or covering). the core concept is the act of drawing back a veil to expose what was hidden. through ecclesiastical latin and old french, the term entered middle english, initially with a strong theological sense of divine disclosure, before broadening to signify any significant or surprising disclosure of information.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + vel (veil) + ation (noun suffix)
re: latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
vel: from latin 'velum', meaning "a covering, veil, curtain".
ation: latin suffix '-atio', forming nouns of action or state.
Examples
the biography contained several shocking revelations about the artist's early life.
the invention of the telescope was a revelation in our understanding of the cosmos.
her sudden kindness came as a complete revelation to him.