revelare

Revelare is a Latin verb meaning to uncover, reveal, or disclose. Derived from prefix re- with velare (to veil), it conveys removing a veil to make something visible. The word appears in classical and later Latin and is the source of several modern terms in Romance languages and English.

Grammar and principal parts: Revelare is a regular first-conjugation verb. Principal parts are revelo, revelare, revelavi, revelatum. It follows the standard -are paradigm, with forms such as present active revelo, revelas, revelat; imperfect revelabam, revelabas, revelabat; future revelabo, revelabis, revelabit. Passive forms include revelor, revelaris, revelatur, and the perfect passive participle revelatus sum.

Usage: The verb takes a direct object in the accusative for what is revealed, for example veritatem revelare means “to reveal the truth,” or arcanum revelare meaning “to reveal a secret.” It can also be used metaphorically for ideas or plans, as in consilium revelare “to reveal a plan.” The passive form revelari means “to be revealed.”

Origin and derivatives: Revelare gives English terms such as revelation and revelatory, and likewise Spanish revelar, Italian rivelare, and French révéler. The related noun revelatio denotes the act of unveiling or disclosure. The verb is commonly discussed in Latin dictionaries and grammars as a standard example of a regular -are verb.