unveil
Meaning
to remove a veil or covering from something, especially as part of a formal ceremony.
to show or announce something publicly for the first time.
Structure
Usage
the mayor will unveil the new war memorial at noon tomorrow.
the company plans to unveil its latest smartphone at the tech conference.
the artist unveiled her masterpiece to a captivated audience.
Etymology
the word "unveil" is a straightforward english formation, combining the native english prefix "un-" with the noun "veil," which entered english via anglo-french from the latin vēlum. the latin term referred broadly to a cloth covering, such as a curtain or a sail. the literal action of removing a physical veil, as from a statue or a bride, provided a powerful metaphor. this metaphor was extended to the abstract act of revealing or making public something that was previously hidden or secret, which is the dominant modern sense.
Analysis
- un: a prefix of germanic origin (old english un-) meaning "not" or "reversal of an action". - veil: a noun of latin origin (from vēlum, meaning "a covering, curtain, sail") that functions as the base word.