conceals

Conceals is the third-person singular present tense of the verb conceal. It means to put something out of sight or to keep it from being known or discovered. Concealing can refer to physical hiding, such as concealing an object, or to withholding information or truth. The noun form concealment denotes the act or state of concealing, or something that is concealed.

Etymology and development: Conceal derives from Old French concealer, meaning to hide, which in turn comes from a Latin root related to celare, “to hide.” The word entered English in the late Middle Ages and has since broadened to encompass both tangible hiding and the more abstract act of withholding information.

Senses and usage: In everyday language, conceal often describes making something unseen or unnoticeable, as in concealing a letter, a weapon, or a secret. It can also refer to preventing knowledge of a fact, as in concealing a mistake or concealing one’s true intentions. The term is used across contexts, including personal behavior, security, and law.

Legal and ethical context: In many jurisdictions, concealment can be addressed as a legal offense when it involves hiding evidence, stolen property, or illegal activities. In civil and criminal law, concealment of material facts may affect outcomes such as duties of disclosure, contracts, or criminal liability. Ethically, concealment raises questions about honesty, transparency, and the balance between privacy and disclosure.

Examples: She conceals her cravings behind a calm smile. The suspect concealed the weapon during the search. The organization faced scrutiny for concealing important data from stakeholders.

See also: concealment, conceal, disguise, hide.