Exposition

//ɛkspəˈzɪʃən// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The action of exposing something to something, such as skin to the sunlight. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    (music) the section of a movement (especially in sonata form) where the major musical themes first occur wordnet
  3. 3
    The act or process of declaring or describing something through either speech or writing, in nonfiction or in fiction; the portions and aspects of a piece of writing that exist mainly to describe or explain a set of things (such as, in fiction, the setting, characters and other non-plot elements). countable, uncountable

    "This essay has too much exposition in it."

  4. 4
    an account that sets forth the meaning or intent of a writing or discourse wordnet
  5. 5
    The act of expulsion, or being expelled, from a place. countable, obsolete, uncountable
Show 7 more definitions
  1. 6
    a systematic interpretation or explanation (usually written) of a specific topic wordnet
  2. 7
    An exhibition, especially of goods, artwork or cultural displays to the public. countable, uncountable

    "The first prototype was unveiled at an exposition."

  3. 8
    a collection of things (goods or works of art etc.) for public display wordnet
  4. 9
    An essay or speech in which any topic is discussed in detail. countable, uncountable

    "I turned my research into an exposition on the traditional music of Borneo."

  5. 10
    An opening section in fiction, in which background information about the characters, events or setting is conveyed. countable, uncountable
  6. 11
    The opening section of a movement in sonata form; the opening section of a fugue. countable, uncountable
  7. 12
    The abandonment of an unwanted child. countable, uncountable

Etymology

From Middle English exposicioun, from Old French esposicion, from Latin expositiō, from expōnere (“to put forth”). The sense meaning "exhibition" is a later semantic loan from French exposition.

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