d-i-s-p-l-a-y
•dih-SPLAY
DISPLAY means to show or exhibit something prominently, or refers to a visual presentation of information, objects, or electronic screen output.
13
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
DISPLAY represents a fundamental human impulse to show, exhibit, and communicate through visual presentation. As both a noun and verb, display encompasses the full spectrum of making things visible, from the simple act of arranging objects for viewing to the complex technologies that illuminate our digital world. Whether it's a peacock spreading its feathers, a retailer arranging products to catch the eye, or the screen you're reading this on, displays serve as critical interfaces between information and perception.
In the digital era, the word display has evolved to become synonymous with technological progress. Computer displays, smartphone screens, digital billboards, and countless other electronic interfaces have transformed how humanity accesses and processes information. These modern displays represent centuries of innovation, from the first printed posters to today's ultra-high-definition OLED panels that can show billions of colors and refresh hundreds of times per second. The ubiquity of displays in contemporary life has made them invisible infrastructure—we rarely think about the display itself, only what it shows us.
Beyond technology, display remains a powerful concept in nature, psychology, and culture. Animals use elaborate displays for mating rituals and territorial claims, revealing evolutionary strategies refined over millions of years. Humans display emotions, wealth, knowledge, and identity through countless conscious and unconscious signals. Retail displays drive consumer behavior, museum displays preserve cultural heritage, and artistic displays challenge our perceptions. Understanding display means understanding fundamental aspects of communication, attraction, and the visual organization of information.
The word display traces its origins to the Old French despleier (12th century), which meant "to unfold, spread out, or deploy." This French term derived from the Latin displicare, a compound of dis- (meaning "apart" or "asunder") and plicare (meaning "to fold"). The literal sense was "to unfold" or "to spread apart," revealing what was previously hidden or compressed.
The semantic journey from "unfold" to "show" reflects a fundamental metaphor: making visible what was concealed. By the 14th century, display had acquired the sense of "to spread out ostentatiously," and by the 1580s, the noun form emerged, referring to "an exhibition or show." This evolution parallels how we physically unfold maps, banners, or documents to reveal their contents—an act that became metaphorical for any form of presentation or exhibition.
The modern technological meaning emerged in the mid-20th century with the advent of electronic screens. The first computer displays in the 1950s were called "display units" or "display terminals," extending the word's meaning to encompass electronic visualization. This technological usage has since dominated, though the original sense of "unfolding" remains relevant—modern displays still "unfold" information from digital compression into visible form.
The first computer displays were actually oscilloscopes modified to show digital information. These primitive displays in the 1940s and 1950s could only show simple vector graphics and required constant refreshing to maintain the image. The iconic green phosphor glow of early terminals wasn't a design choice—it was simply the most efficient phosphor coating available at the time.
Nature's most expensive display belongs to the peacock, whose elaborate tail feathers represent one of evolution's most dramatic examples of sexual selection. Each tail display requires enormous metabolic energy and makes the bird vulnerable to predators, yet the display is so effective at attracting mates that these costs are evolutionarily worthwhile. Scientists call this the "handicap principle"—the very costliness of the display signals genetic fitness.
Modern OLED displays can turn off individual pixels completely, achieving true black and infinite contrast ratios. This technology, inspired by fireflies and other bioluminescent creatures, represents a fundamental shift from traditional backlit displays. Each pixel is essentially a microscopic LED that produces its own light, allowing for displays thinner than a credit card and flexible enough to roll up like paper.
The "seven-second rule" in retail display states that you have approximately seven seconds to capture a shopper's attention as they walk past. This has led to a science of display optimization, where everything from color psychology to eye-tracking studies influences how products are arranged. Grocery stores specifically design displays to slow walking speed by 30%, increasing impulse purchases.
The human eye can distinguish about 10 million colors, but most displays can only show about 16.7 million colors (using 8 bits per color channel). High-end professional displays now use 10-bit or 12-bit color, displaying over a billion colors—far exceeding human perception but crucial for preventing banding in gradients and ensuring accurate color reproduction across different viewing conditions.
The most basic synonym, emphasizing the act of making visible
Formal presentation, often in museums or galleries
Show how something works or prove a point through display
Formal showing, often to an audience
Display the best features or examples prominently
Make visible what was previously hidden
Conceal from view; the opposite of display
Keep something secret or hidden from sight
Place something over to hide from view
Prevent from being revealed or expressed
on display
Being shown publicly
display case
Glass container for showing valuable items
display window
Store window for showing merchandise
public display of affection
Showing romantic feelings in public (PDA)
display screen
Electronic visual output device
display model
Product sample shown in stores
heads-up display
Transparent display showing data (HUD)
display of emotion
Outward expression of feelings
"The new smartphone features a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate."
"The store's holiday window display attracted crowds of shoppers throughout December."
"The museum's new display showcased artifacts from ancient Egyptian daily life."
"Her display of courage during the crisis inspired everyone around her."
"The peacock's elaborate tail display mesmerized the zoo visitors."
"The sales team will display the quarterly results on the conference room screen."
Total base points: 13 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 (A, I) | Consonants: 5
High-Value Letters
Contains Y (4 pts) and P (3 pts)
Common Prefixes
DIS- prefix adds versatility
Anagram Potential
7 letters offer multiple combinations
Hook Opportunities
Can add -S, -ED, -ING endings
DISPLAY is an excellent opening word with 13 base points. The Y on a double letter score can boost your opening significantly.
The DIS- prefix is highly versatile. Look for opportunities to add DIS- to existing words on the board.
Place the Y (4 pts) or P (3 pts) on premium squares. A Y on triple letter score yields 12 points alone.
DISPLAY creates multiple two-letter words when played parallel: DI, IS, SP, PL, LA, AY.
The concept of display has profoundly shaped human culture and society. From the earliest cave paintings to modern digital screens, displays have served as the primary medium for sharing information, expressing creativity, and establishing social hierarchies. In the 21st century, the average person interacts with dozens of displays daily—from smartphones and computers to digital billboards and smart home devices—making display technology perhaps the most ubiquitous interface between humans and the digital world.
In retail and commerce, the art of display has evolved into a sophisticated science. Visual merchandising, window displays, and product placement strategies drive billions in consumer spending annually. The phrase "retail theater" captures how modern stores use displays not just to show products but to create immersive experiences. Meanwhile, in the natural world, display behaviors from peacock feathers to firefly flashes have inspired everything from fashion design to communication technologies.
The digital display revolution has transformed entertainment, education, and social interaction. The shift from cathode ray tubes to flat panels to flexible OLED screens represents not just technological progress but fundamental changes in how humans consume and share information. Social media platforms are essentially display systems for personal expression, while virtual and augmented reality promise to blur the lines between physical and digital displays entirely.
While similar, "exhibit" implies a more formal or professional presentation, often in museums or galleries. "Display" is broader and can be casual or formal.
"Display" suggests arrangement and presentation for viewing, while "show" is more general. You show a photo but display a collection.
In technology, a monitor is a complete device including the display panel and electronics. The display is technically just the screen component.
Points shown for Scrabble • No multipliers
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