Ostension
/ɒˈstɛn.ʃən/noun
The act of showing, pointing out, or displaying something.
Did you know?In medieval Latin, the root behind *ostension* was used for sacred display and demonstration, so the word sits right on the edge between plain showing and ritual revelation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sten-
“to stand, make stand”
Latin
Latin
ostendere
“to show, point out, present”
Late Latin
Latin
ostensio
“a showing, display”
Old French
Old French
ostension
“display, exhibition”
Middle English
English
ostension
“the act of showing or exhibiting”
Modern English
English
ostension
“the act of showing, pointing out, or displaying something”
Explore more surprising origins