Dis*play" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Displayed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Displaying.] [OE. displaien, desplaien, OF.
despleier, desploier, F. déployer; pref.
des- (L. dis-) + pleier, ploier,
plier, F. ployer, plier, to fold, bend, L.
plicare. See Ply, and cf. Deploy, Splay.]
1. To unfold; to spread wide; to expand; to
stretch out; to spread.
The northern wind his wings did broad
display.
Spenser.
2. (Mil.) To extend the front of (a
column), bringing it into line. Farrow.
3. To spread before the view; to show; to
exhibit to the sight, or to the mind; to make manifest.
His statement . . . displays very clearly the
actual condition of the army.
Burke.
4. To make an exhibition of; to set in view
conspicuously or ostentatiously; to exhibit for the sake of
publicity; to parade.
Proudly displaying the insignia of their
order.
Prescott.
5. (Print.) To make conspicuous by
large or prominent type.
6. To discover; to descry. [Obs.]
And from his seat took pleasure to display
The city so adorned with towers.
Chapman.
Syn. -- To exhibit; show; manifest; spread out; parade;
expand; flaunt.
Dis*play", v. i. To make a
display; to act as one making a show or demonstration.
Shak.
Dis*play", n. 1.
An opening or unfolding; exhibition; manifestation.
Having witnessed displays of his power and
grace.
Trench.
2. Ostentatious show; exhibition for effect;
parade.
He died, as erring man should die,
Without display, without parade.
Byron.
