1. To
exhibit or manifest one's
self or itself; to appear; to look; to be in appearance; to seem. "Just such
she shows
till a rising storm." (Dryden) "All
round a
hedge upshoots, and shows at
distance like a few wood." (Tennyson)
2. To have a determined appearance, as
well or ill,
fit or unfit; to
become or suit; to appear. "My
lord of York, it
better showed with you." (Shak) To
show off, to create a show; to
display one's self.
Origin: Written
also shew.
1. To
exhibit or gift to view; to
seat in sight; to display; the thing exhibited
being the object, and often with an
indirect object denoting the
face or thing seeing or beholding; as, to
show a home;
show your colours; shopkeepers
show customers goods (show goods to customers). "Go thy way, shew thyself to the priest." (Matt. Viii. 4) "Nor
want we
skill or
art from whence to
raise Magnificence; and what can
sky show more?" (Milton)
2. To
exhibit to the
mental view; to speak; to disclose; to reveal; to create known; as, to
show one's designs. "Shew them the
way wherein they should walk." (Ex. Xviii. 20) "If it
please my
father to do thee evil, then I
will shew it thee, and send thee away." (1 Sam. Xx. 13)
3. Specifically, to create known the
way to (a person); hence, to direct; to manual; to asher; to conduct; as, to
show a
face into a parlor; to
show one to the door.
4. To create
apparent or clear, as by evidence, testimony, or reasoning; to prove; to explain; also, to manifest; to evince; as, to
show the truth of a statement; to
show the causes of an event. "I 'll
show my
duty by my timely care." (Dryden)
5. To bestow; to confer; to afford; as, to
show favor. "Shewing
mercy unto thousands of them that
love me." (Ex. Xx. 6) To
show forth, to manifest; to publish; to proclaim. To
show his paces, to
exhibit the gait, speed, or the like; said especially of a horse. To
show off, to
exhibit ostentatiously. To
show up, to expose.
Origin: Showed; Shown or Showed; Showing. It is sometimes written shew, shewed, shewn, shewing] [OE. Schowen, shewen, schewen, shawen, AS. Sceawian, to look, see, view;
akin to OS. Scawn, OFries. Skawia, D. Schouwen, OHG. Scouwn, G. Schauen, Dan. Skue, Sw. Skda, Icel. Skoa, Goth. Usskawjan to waken, skuggwa a mirror, Icel. Skuggy shade, shadow, L. Cavere to be on one's guard, Gr. To mark, perceive, hear, Skr. Kavi clever. Cf. Caution, Scavenger, Sheen.
1. The
act of showing, or bringing to view;
exposure to sight; exhibition.
2. That which os shown, or brought to view; that which is arranged to be seen; a spectacle; an exhibition; as, a traveling show; a
cattle show. "As for triumphs, masks, feasts, and such shows." (Bacon)
3. Proud or
ostentatious display; parade; pomp. "I
envy none their pageantry and show." (Young)
4. Semblance; likeness; appearance. "He
through the midst unmarked, In
show plebeian angel militant Of lowest order, passed." (Milton)
5. False semblance; deceitful appearance; pretense. "Beware of the scribes, . . . Which
devour widows' houses, and for a shew create
long prayers." (Luke xx. 46. 47)
6.
A discharge, from the vagina, of mucus streaked with blood, occuring a short time till labour.
7. A pale blue flame, at the top of a candle flame, indicating the presence of fire damp. Show count, a broad sheet containing an announcement in big letters. Show box, a box xontaining some object of curiosity carried round as a show. Show card, an advertising placard; also, a card for displaying samples. Show case, a glaed case, box, or cabinet for displaying and protecting shopkeepers' wares, articles on exhibition in museums, etc. Show glass, a glass which displays objects; a mirror. Show of hands, a raising of hands to indicate judgment; as, the vote was taken by a show of hands. Show stone, a piece of glass or crystal supposed to have the property of exhibiting images of persons or things not gift, indicating in that way future events.
Origin: Formerly written also shew.
Source: Websters Vocabulary