Forms: 5 exhibete, 6–7 exhibite, (6 exhybet, exibyte), 6– exhibit. [f. L. exhibit- ppl. stem of exhibēre, f. ex- out + habēre to hold.]
I. To offer, furnish, administer.
† 1. trans. To offer, present (sacrifice, etc.); to administer (an oath). Obs.
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, v. (1890), 21. His felaushyppe chosen by hym for to make and exhibete the sayd sacrefyce.
1532. More, Confut. Barnes, VIII. Wks. 805/2. We … exhibite our bodies a liuely host.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, I. xii. (Arb.), 44. To him [God] we can not exhibit ouermuch praise.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. xii. 54. The worship which naturally men exhibit to Powers invisible.
1657. Howell, Londinop., 37. That the said Commissioners should have power to exhibit an Oath.
† 2. To grant, provide, furnish; const. to, unto; hence, to defray (expense). Obs.
1548. Hall, Chron., 195 b. Frendes … will not … remember a great gratuitie and benefite in time of necessitie, to them shewed and exhibited.
1563–83. Foxe, A. & M., II. 997/1. To D. Royston … he [Humfrey Mummuth] exhibited fortie or fiftie pounds.
1577. Vautrouillier, Luther on Ep. Gal., 178. The blessing promised to Abraham and exhibited by Christ.
1577. Hanmer, Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1619), 107. Whose necessary expences and charges Ambrose exhibited.
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lx. (1611), 319. Wee defraude them of such ordinarie outward helps as wee should exhibit.
1623. Bingham, Xenophon, 32. We will exhibite you a market.
1654. Triana, in Fuller, Cause & Cure (1867), 162. He kept Feliciano … as a gentle almsman, exhibiting diet and some slender accommodations unto him.
† b. intr. To provide maintenance; to give an ‘exhibition’; to minister (to a person’s wants). Const. to, unto. Obs. Rarely trans.: To give an exhibition to (a student).
1601. F. Godwin, Bps. of Eng., 312. [The] Deane of Yorke … sent him to Oxeford, and so long as he liued … exhibited vnto him there.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., I. 59/1 (cited by Webster). He was … a special Friend [to the University] … exhibiting … to the wants of certain Scholars.
1709. Strype, Ann. Ref., I. xlviii. 484. Many well-disposed People in the Nation, that used to exhibit to poor Students, began to withdraw their Charities, or diminish them.
1868. M. Pattison, Academ. Org., iv. 107. The sum paid out of endowments to students exhibited.
3. trans. (Med.) To administer (a remedy, etc.).
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 251. They were wont to exhibit it [Scammonie] for a purgation.
1620. Venner, Via Recta, viii. 174. If the meat desired, be of a very naughty and ill property, then it is not to be exhibited.
1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., 233. As if they would exhibit a medicine to the Head.
1725. N. Robinson, Th. Physick, 295. Let a Vomit be exhibited in the first Place.
1821. T. Sandwith, Observ. Med. & Surg., 16. A tea-spoonful of the antimonial wine was exhibited every hour.
1874. A. B. Garrod, Mat. Med. (ed. 4), 166. The patient should fast for four or five hours before chloroform is exhibited.
II. To submit or expose to view; to show, display.
4. To hold out, or submit (a document) for inspection; esp. to produce, lodge, put in (a document) in a court of law, to append as an ‘exhibit’ to written evidence. Const. to; also † into (a court).
1529. Act 21 Hen. VIII., c. 5. So that the said testament be exhibited to him … in wrytyng.
c. 1538. Starkey, Lett., p. lxxv. I haue not fayned to exibyte to your grace this rude commentary.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., III. i. 151. Accept this Scrowle, most gracious Soueraigne, Which in the Right of Richard Plantagent, We doe exhibite to your Maiestie.
a. 1626. Bacon, Max. & Uses Com. Law (1630), 79. They are to exhibite the Will into the Bishops Court.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 44. One of the persons to whom the manuscripts were exhibited was Archbishop Sancroft.
1884. Law Rep. 14 Q. Bench Div. 205. The records … exhibited to the affidavits filed in the cause.
absol. 1880. Muirhead, trans. Instit. Gaius, IV. § 163. His application for an arbiter involved an admission that he was bound to restore or exhibit.
† b. To give up (oneself to justice). Obs. rare–1.
1628. Hobbes, Thucyd., 69. Hee [Pausanias] came forth, and exhibited himselfe to Iustice.
5. a. To submit for consideration; to present, prefer (a petition, an accusation, etc.). Cf. 1.
1529. Act 21 Hen. VIII., c. 16 § 11. Our true and faithful Subjects … exhibited unto us a lamentable Bill of Complaint.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., II. i. 29. Why Ile Exhibit a Bill in the Parliament for the putting downe of men.
1634. W. Tirwhyt, trans. Balzac’s Lett., 66. May easily impetrate at Gods hands any supplication you shall exhibite.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. (1843), I. 10/1. He … exhibited another charge of high treason against the duke.
1709. Strype, Ann. Ref., I. iii. 76. A Discourse exhibited to the Queen’s Council.
1747. Col. Rec. Pennsylv., V. 99. The several Charges exhibited by the Complainants against Mr. Ruston were frivolous and malicious.
1805. East’s Rep., V. 353. Where two libels are exhibited against two inhabitants of a parish for tithes.
1829. I. Taylor, Enthus., iv. (1867), 79. Our part is merely to exhibit against the system the charge of delusion or enthusiasm.
1883. Rules of Supreme Crt., xxxi. § 7. Any interrogatories may be set aside on the ground that they have been exhibited unreasonably.
† b. To promulgate, publish (a decree or order).
1693. Mem. Cnt. Teckely, III. 2. Orders should be exhibited for maintaining Officers and Souldiers.
6. To set forth (in words or figures); to detail.
1534. Whitinton, Tullyes Offices, I. (1540), 27. In exhybetynge these offyces and dutyes, we must [etc.].
a. 1656. Hales, Gold. Rem. (1688), 420. Leave to exhibit their Mind in writing.
a. 1687. Petty, Pol. Arith., viii. (1690), 109. Mr. Samuel Fortry … exhibits the particulars.
1774. Warton, Hist. Eng. Poetry, ii. (1840), I. 82. Which [entries] I choose to exhibit in the words of the original.
1807. T. Thomson, Chem. (ed. 3), II. 381. The following Table exhibits the result of these experiments.
1846. Mill, Logic, I. iii. § 1. To exhibit an enumeration of all kinds of things which are capable of being made predicates.
7. To manifest to the senses, esp. to the sight; to present (a material object) to view.
1573. (title) The Whole Works of W. Tyndall, [etc.] … now in Print here exhibited to the Church.
1659. Hammond, On Ps. xxiv. 6 Annot. 138/1. Where God hath promised to exhibite himself to those that worthily approach him.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), VII. 318. Out of this opening they exhibit their real head and eyes.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 128. The coasts … sometimes exhibit extensive beaches.
1805. W. Saunders, Min. Waters, 9. Water is … made up of two substances, neither of which can be exhibited separately, except in the gaseous form.
1837. Goring & Pritchard, Microgr., 187. For a solar intended to exhibit large objects.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. iv. 33. It may be that the lake simply exhibits the colour of pure water.
b. To present to mental view.
1577. trans. Bullinger’s Decades (1592), 590. We haue of this, very many examples exhibited vnto vs.
1607. C. Lever, in Farr, S. P. Q. Eliz. (1845), II. 522. Exhibite, Lord, my pardon in thy prayer.
1780. Johnson, Lett. Mrs. Thrale, 18 April. She and her husband exhibited two very different appearances of human nature.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., II. xli. 506. The general exhibited a memorable lesson of firmness and severity.
1802. Med. Jrnl., VIII. 532. Oxydated muriatic gas … exhibits … the surest means of checking contagion.
1821. J. Q. Adams, in C. Davies, Metric Syst., III. (1871), 84. In both, the phenomenon is still exhibited.
† c. intr. for refl. Obs.
1656–81. Blount, Glossogr., Exhibite … to shew it self.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1852), I. 119. It is in the nature of the mind to assent to whatever appearances that exhibit when all other evidence that might correct them is removed out of her reach.
8. To represent by a figure, drawing, etc.: said also of the drawing itself.
1799. Med. Jrnl., I. 210. Embellished only with 34 plates, but they exhibit mostly new, rare, and valuable plants.
1825. J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 279. One of these branches is exhibited in the figure.
1831. Brewster, Optics, vi. 63. The following method, however, of exhibiting caustic curves I have found exceedingly convenient and instructive.
b. To present a delineation or an embodiment of in words or in action.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 404. In the power of exhibiting character by means of dialogue he was deficient.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 12. [They] are to exhibit in their lives that virtue which is the basis of the state.
9. To manifest by signs, indicate the existence of, display.
1799. Med. Jrnl., II. 251. Countenance exhibits more distress.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Ireland, 113. More exhibited their uncomplaining poverty in their looks and dress.
1845. M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 15. Gregory … exhibits … a union of prudence, tact, firmness, and unshrinking principle.
1854. Brewster, More Worlds, ix. 147. The power, and wisdom, and goodness of the Creator, are exhibited to us every day and every hour.
10. To show publicly for the purpose of amusement or instruction, or in a competition; to make a show of; rarely, to perform in public.
1797. Bewick, Brit. Birds (1847), I. 65. A living bird exhibited in a show.
1832. G. Downes, Lett. Cont. Countries, I. 31. This celebrated musician, whose laurel also is exhibited.
1845. Florist’s Jrnl., 201. Mr. Eyles exhibited the best six.
1845. E. Holmes, Mozart, 19. One of them … happening to exhibit a solo on the violin.
1872. Morley, Voltaire (1886), 112. After supper Voltaire would exhibit a magic lantern.
1878. Jevons, Prim. Pol. Econ., 57. Dwarfs, however, are of no special use except to exhibit as curiosities.
absol. 1766. Goldsm., Vic. W., xviii. Carrying their scenes … to the next village where they were to exhibit.
1806. Gazetteer Scotl. (ed. 2), 145. A theatre, where a party of strolling comedians occasionally exhibit.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. V. v. 493. With as much coolness and regularity, as if they had been exhibiting on a parade.
b. U.S. To present or declaim (a speech or an essay) in public. Also absol.
1817. Laws Yale Coll., iv. § 11. If any student … shall exhibit anything not allowed by the Faculty. Ibid., viii. § 28. No Student who shall receive any appointment to exhibit before the class … shall give any treat of wine.
c. intr. for refl.
1863. Cowden Clarke, Shaks. Char., vi. 152. He there exhibits in rampant folly.
Hence Exhibited ppl. a.
1730–6. Bailey (folio), Exhibitea, presented or offered.
1775. Ash, Exhibited, brought forth to view, proposed, displayed.
1861. Thornbury, Turner, I. 258. The ‘Moonlight at Millbank’ … was his first exhibited oil-picture.
