revelation
Pluralrevelations
- 1A surprising fact or piece of information disclosed in a dramatic or unexpected way.
The journalist's revelation about the senator forced an immediate resignation.
These revelations shook the company's leadership to its core.
Similardisclosure
- 2A fact, idea, or piece of information that has been made known to others.
The study offered a quiet revelation about how children learn language.
Reading her letters provided revelations about life in the old town.
Note
Here the word turns from the act to its result, and it counts: one revelation, many revelations. The plural suits reporting. The Guardian in 2013 wrote of "continuing revelations about" the US National Security Agency, and about is the usual link to the subject. The use is old: Tyndale's New Testament of 1526 already has it, spelled revelacion.
- 3The act or process of making known something previously hidden or secret.
The revelation of the documents to the press triggered an investigation.
Public revelation of the data raised serious privacy concerns.
Similardisclosure, exposure, release
Oppositeconcealment
Note
The word's history shows in this sense. Latin revēlō joined re- with vēlō, "to cover", so to reveal was to undo a covering. The noun names the act rather than what is shown. That is why it works without an article (public revelation of the data), and why magicians speak of the revelation at the end of a trick: the moment the hidden card is turned up.
- 4A disclosure of divine truth, especially one believed to come directly from God.
The mystic described her vision as a revelation granted during prayer.
For the faithful, scripture stands as a revelation of God's will.
Similarapocalypse
Note
Theology treats revelation as a source of knowledge and often uses it without an article. Rolfe King's Obstacles to Divine Revelation (2008) asks whether revelation is "a simple matter". The implied contrast is with reason: truth received rather than reached by observation or inference. Divine revelation is a frequent pairing, and apocalypse serves as a learned synonym in this sense.
- 5A person or thing that proves to be an unexpected and impressive success.
The rookie midfielder has been a revelation, transforming the team's attack.
Critics called the small neighborhood restaurant a revelation in modern cooking.
Oppositedisappointment
Note
Praise phrased as surprise: calling someone a revelation says they did far better than anyone expected. It usually follows be or prove with the indefinite article. BBC Sport in 2012 said a 26-year-old player "has proved a revelation" since his move from Freiburg. It fits newcomers best, whether a signing, a debut or a new invention.
Practice
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Origin
This word came into Middle English as revelacioun, borrowed from Old French revelacion, which goes back to Latin revēlātiō ("disclosure"). That noun derives from the verb revēlō ("to disclose"), formed from re- ("again") and vēlō ("to cover").