unveil (v.)

1590s, in reference to sight, "to make clear," from un- (2) "opposite of" + veil (v.). Sense of "to display or reveal" (something) is from 1650s. Related: Unveiled; unveiling.

Entries linking to unveil

un- (2)

prefix of reversal, deprivation, or removal (as in unhand, undo, unbutton), Old English on-, un-, from Proto-Germanic *andi- (source also of Old Saxon ant-, Old Norse and-, Dutch ont-, Old High German ant-, German ent-, Gothic and- "against"), from PIE *anti "facing opposite, near, in front of, before, against" (from PIE root *ant- "front, forehead," with derivatives meaning "in front of, before").

More or less confused with un- (1) through similarity in the notions of "negation" and "reversal;" an adjective such as unlocked might represent "not locked" (un- (1)) or the past tense of unlock (un- (2)).

veil (v.)

late 14c., from Old French veler, voiller (12c.), from Latin velare "to cover, veil," from velum "a cloth, covering, curtain, veil," literally "a sail" (see veil (n.)). Figurative sense of "to conceal, mask, disguise" (something immaterial) is recorded from 1530s. Related: Veiled; veiling.

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updated on March 02, 2014

Definitions of unveil from WordNet

unveil (v.)

remove the veil from;

Women must not unveil themselves in public in some religious societies

unveil (v.)

make visible;

Synonyms: bring out / reveal

unveil (v.)

remove the cover from;

unveil a painting

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near unveil

unusual

unutterable

unvanquished

unvarnished

unvarying

unveil

unwanted

unwarranted

unwary

unwashed

unwavering