revelation

[ rev-uh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of revealing or disclosing; disclosure:

   The revelation of previously hidden facts about the group’s activities changed the situation completely.

   Synonyms: exposure, divulgence, admission

2. something revealed or disclosed, especially a striking disclosure, such as of something not before realized:

   Her memoir contained several fascinating revelations about her love life.

3. Theology.
   1. God's disclosure of Himself and His will to His creatures.
   2. an instance of such communication or disclosure.
   3. something thus communicated or disclosed.
   4. something that contains such disclosure, as the Bible.
4. Revelation. Also called The Revelation of St. John the Divine. the last book in the New Testament; the Apocalypse. : Rev.

revelation

¹

/ ˌrɛvəˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of disclosing something previously secret or obscure, esp something true
2. a fact disclosed or revealed, esp in a dramatic or surprising way
3. Christianity
   1. God's disclosure of his own nature and his purpose for mankind, esp through the words of human intermediaries
   2. something in which such a divine disclosure is contained, such as the Bible

Revelation

²

/ ˌrɛvəˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. Also calledthe Apocalypsethe Revelation of Saint John the Divine popularly, often plural the last book of the New Testament, containing visionary descriptions of heaven, of conflicts between good and evil, and of the end of the world

Derived Forms

• ˌreveˈlational, adjective

Other Words From

• rev·e·la·tion·al adjective
• non·rev·e·la·tion noun
• pre·rev·e·la·tion noun
• un·rev·e·la·tion·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of revelation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English revelacion, revelacioun, from Anglo-French revelaciun, revelacioun, revelatiun, from Middle French revelacion, revelation, from Late Latin revēlātiōn- (stem of revēlātiō ), equivalent to Latin revēlā(tus) , past participle of revēlāre “to remove the cover from, unveil, lift the lid of, uncover” + -tiōn- verbal noun suffix dentoting the action of the verb; reveal, -tion; apocalypse ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of revelation¹

C14: from Church Latin revēlātiō from Latin revēlāre to reveal

Example Sentences

The revelation of E.On's bill error comes after the latest official figures show inflation rose as a result of higher energy prices.

From BBC

The film-maker has described working on animation as "a huge treat and revelation for me", adding that the "whole process is so different from the other movies I’ve worked on".

From BBC

I would describe my reaction as being one of revelations.

From Salon

After he announced his resignation, there were revelations about questionable hiring practices and spending.

From New York Times

When the prime minister, Streeting and Reeves sit down to consider what to do about social care in a week or so, don’t expect a sudden revelation or a shiny new plan.

From BBC

Related Words

• announcement
• discovery
• epiphany
• leak
• news