display definition

1. <computer hardware> monitor.

2. <programming language> A vector of pointers to activation records. The Nth element points to the activation record containing variables declared at lexical depth N. This allows faster access to variables from outer scopes than the alternative of linked activation records (but most variable accesses are either local or global or occasionally to the immediately enclosing scope). Displays were used in some ALGOL implementations.

1. To unfold; to spread wide; to expand; to stretch out; to spread. "The northern wind his wings did broad display." (Spenser)

2. To extend the front of (a column), bringing it into line.

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. To make conspicuous by large or prominent type.

6. To discover; to descry. "And from his seat took pleasure to display The city so adorned with towers." (Chapman)

Synonyms: To exhibit, show, manifest, spread out, parade, expand, flaunt.

Origin: OE. Displaien, desplaien, OF. Despleier, desploier, F. Deployer; pref. Des- (L. Dis-) + pleier, ploier, plier, F. Ployer, plier, to fold, bend, L. Plicare. See Ply, and cf. Deploy, Splay.