manifestatio

Manifestatio is a Latin noun meaning "a showing, display, or making visible." It derives from manifestus "clear" and the abstract noun-forming suffix -atio. In classical Latin, manifestatio denotes the act or result of making something evident, such as a demonstration, appearance, or display of a quality or attribute.

In religious and philosophical contexts, manifestatio can refer to manifestations of truth, the divine, or supernatural appearances. In Christian Latin, it is used for revelations or theophanies—unveilings of God or holy power.

Historically, the term occurs in legal, rhetorical, and scholastic texts to describe observable phenomena, deduced conclusions, or the visible expression of a concept. It is often used to distinguish between latent possibilities and actualized demonstrations.

Modern usage and cognates: in Romance languages, cognates such as manifestación (Spanish) or manifestazione (Italian) retain the sense of display or revelation. In English, manifestatio is usually encountered only in Latin quotations or scholarly discussion; the ordinary terms are manifestation, demonstration, or revelation.

Summary: manifestatio designates the act or instance of making something visible or evident, spanning secular and sacred contexts. It underscores the transition from potential to perceptible form and serves as a historical root for words with related senses in European languages.