disclose Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
    reveal; unwrap; bring out; expose; let on; discover; divulge; break; let out; give away.
    • The auction house would not disclose the price at which the van Gogh had sold
    • The actress won't reveal how old she is
    • bring out the truth
    • he broke the news to her
    • unwrap the evidence in the murder case
  2. verb disclose to view as by removing a cover
    expose.
    • The curtain rose to disclose a stunning set

WordNet

Dis*close" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. desclosen, disclosen, fr. disclos, desclos, not shut in, open, OF. desclos, p. p. of desclore to open, F. déclore; pref. des- (L. dis-) + clore to shut, fr. L. claudere to shut. See Close, and cf. Disclusion.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Disclosed ; present participle & verbal noun Disclosing
Definitions
  1. To unclose; to open; -- applied esp. to eggs in the sense of to hatch.
    The ostrich layeth her eggs under sand, where the heat of the discloseth them. Bacon.
  2. To remove a cover or envelope from;; to set free from inclosure; to uncover.
    The shells being broken, . . . the stone included in them is thereby disclosed and set at liberty. Woodward.
  3. To lay open or expose to view; to cause to appear; to bring to light; to reveal.
    How softly on the Spanish shore she plays, Disclosing rock, and slope, and forest brown! Byron.
    Her lively looks a sprightly mind disclose. Pope.
  4. To make known, as that which has been kept secret or hidden; to reveal; to expose; as, events have disclosed his designs.
    If I disclose my passion, Our friendship 's an end. Addison.
    Syn. -- To uncover; open; unveil; discover; reveal; divulge; tell; utter.
Dis*close" noun
Definitions
  1. Disclosure. Obs. Shak. Young.

Webster 1913