Expose v.

[a. Fr. exposer (14th c.), formed as an adaptation of L. expōnĕre to put out, expose (see EXPONE, EXPOUND); the vb. poser (:—L. pausāre to rest, lay down) having been associated by erroneous etymology with L. pōnĕre (pa. pple. positus), and employed as its regular representative in compounds. See COMPOSE, POSE.]

  I.  To put out; to deprive of shelter.

  † 1.  trans. To put out; to put (a person) ashore; to expel from a country, etc. Also refl. of a river: To empty itself into. Obs. rare.

1632.  Lithgow, Trav., I. 43. And the Genueses have abandoned the society of Iewes, and exposed them from their iurisdiction. Ibid., II. 46. There the Carmoesalo [a vessel] stayed, and I was exposed to seeke passage for Ragusa.

1658.  W. Burton, Itin. Anton., 134. Where the river Tearn exposeth it self into it [the Seavern].

1726.  Shelvocke, Voy. round World, 151. In short, I would expose no hostages.

  2.  To turn out of doors; ‘to cast out to chance’ (J.); esp. to abandon (an infant), often in Antiq. as the rendering of L. exponere, Gr. ἐκτιθέναι.

1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., V. ii. 78. All the Instruments which ayded to expose the Child, were euen then lost.

1697.  Potter, Antiq. Greece, II. xx. (1715), 371. The latter [Ariadne], being the same that was expos’d big with Child upon that Coast by Theseus.

1752.  Hume, Ess., Populousness Anc. Nations (1779), I. 416. The only country where this practice of exposing children prevails.

a. 1859.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng. (1861), V. 102. In old time he would have been exposed as soon as he came into the world.

  3.  To place in an unsheltered or unprotected position; to leave without shelter or defence; to remove the covering of; to put (plants) out in the open air. In early use also, To risk, imperil.

c. 1477.  Caxton, Jason, 78 b. And semblably ben alle peple bounden to expose body and goodes for their kyng.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., III. i. 46. He that hath espyde a vermeill rose, To which sharpe thornes … the way forestall, Dare not for dread his hardy hand expose.

1664.  Evelyn, Kal. Hort. (1729), 201. Set out and expose Flos Cardinalis. Ibid., 212. Be careful not to expose the Fruit without Leaves sufficient to skreen it from the Sun.

1667.  Milton, P. L., II. 828. I go This uncouth errand sole, and one for all My self expose.

1704.  Lond. Gaz., No. 4020/2. He exposed his Person very much in the Action.

1796.  C. Marshall, Garden. (1813), 309. An awning … will continue them in perfection of blow much longer than if always exposed.

1885.  Blackw. Mag., May, 584/1. The gunners are never exposed, as is the case with all embrasure or barbette batteries.

Mod.  This costume is injurious to health because it unduly exposes the chest.

  4.  To lay open (to danger, ridicule, censure, etc.); to place in the way of something that would be better avoided; to render accessible or liable. Const. to, † unto; also to with inf. clause.

1474.  Caxton, Chesse, 144. He exposith hym vnto the parilles or bataylle.

1601.  Shaks., All’s Well, III. ii. 106. Expose Those tender limbes of thine, to the euent Of the none-sparing warre. Ibid. (1605), Lear, III. IV. 34. Expose thy selfe to feele what wretches feele.

1611.  Bible, Transl. Pref., 4. Rather then … to expose themselues to many exceptions and cauillations.

1667.  Milton, P. L., II. 27. Whom the highest place exposes Formost to stand against the Thunderers aime.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 646/115. [The Snake] leaves expos’d to Blows, his Back and batter’d sides.

1725.  De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 336. Not so low as to be exposed to the overflowing of the river.

1789.  Bentham, Princ. Legisl., xviii. § 44. Offences to which the condition of a Guardian is exposed.

1865.  R. W. Dale, Jew. Temp., ix. (1877), 89. The faith of the Hebrew Christians … was … exposed to severe trials.

1874.  Micklethwaite, Mod. Par. Churches, 226. In positions little exposed to be walked over.

  5.  To lay open to († into) the action or influence of.

1594.  Plat, Jewel Ho., Divers New Exper., 33. The greene timber which you doe expose into the ayre.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., II. 448/84.

c. 1698.  Locke, Cond. Underst. (1781), § 40. 202 (J.). Those who seek truth only,… freely expose their principles to the test.

1744.  Berkeley, Siris, § 28. 14–5. Trees that grow on mountains, exposed to the sun or the north wind.

1751.  Johnson, Rambler, No. 112, ¶ 4. Exposed to a microscope, the smoothest polish … discovers cavities.

1807.  T. Thomson, Chem. (ed. 3), II. 176. When liquid sulphurous acid is exposed to atmospheric air.

1866.  J. Martineau, Ess., I. 3. He was exposed to two singularly inharmonious influences.

1879.  Harlan, Eyesight, ii. 22. The way in which they [the eyebrows] are instantly drawn down when we are suddenly exposed to a dazzling light.

  b.  pass. To be open to a certain quarter of the heavens, situated in a certain aspect.

1710.  London & Wise, Compl. Gard. (1719), 76. It’s an admirable Peach when planted in a good Soil, and well expos’d.

1765.  A. Dickson, Treat. Agric. (ed. 2), 307. The richest lands in Scotland … are exposed to the north.

  II.  To present to view, put forth.

  6.  To exhibit openly; to display to the public gaze.

1623–6.  Cockeram, Expose, to set to view.

1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 280, ¶ 3. The Beggar, who exposes his Sores.

1727.  De Foe, Syst. Magic, I. iv. (1840), 95. By persuading him [Noah] to drink himself drunk … had … made him expose himself in a beastly manner.

1801.  Southey, Thalaba, VI. xxvi. Transparent garments to the greedy eye Exposed their harlot limbs.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 250. He was then carried to the market place, and exposed during some time as a malefactor.

1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 176. The dead are only to be exposed for three days, which is long enough to test the reality of death.

  b.  Eccl. To exhibit (the Host, relics) for adoration.

1644.  Evelyn, Diary, 18 March. Neere Easter … many images were expos’d.

1850.  J. H. Newman, Diffic. Anglic., 213. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed in all the churches all over the city.

  c.  To disclose, display, allow to be seen.

1851.  Carpenter, Man. Phys., 401. The amount of surface exposed by the walls of these minute cavities.

1853.  Kane, Grinnell Exp., xxxvi. (1856), 324. A pit was sunk in the ice around her … so as to expose her stern.

1870.  Hardy & Ware, Mod. Hoyle, Whist, 7. A card by accident being exposed during the deal, the side free from blame can, if it chooses, demand a fresh deal.

1872.  Raymond, Statist. Mines & Mining, 248. An open cut 30 feet long exposes a vein of rather solid-looking quartz.

  7.  a. To offer publicly, ‘put up’ for (or to) sale. (The ordinary phrase in Scotland: in England now somewhat formal).

a. 1610.  Healey, Theophrastus, Ostentation (1636), 82. Those which expose their wares to sale.

1653.  H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., x. 30. They … exposed me to sale three several times, and yet could meet with no body that would buy me.

1704.  Swift, T. Tub, Concl. 221. To expose the talents I have acquired.

1762–71.  H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), II. 103. It was again exposed at Mr. Scawen’s sale.

1771.  Phil. Trans., LXI. 324, note. A fishmonger … in the winter, exposes for sale a bushel … of carp and tench.

1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 409. The first barometers ever exposed to sale.

1868.  Perthshire Jrnl., 18 June. There will be exposed for Sale … on Saturday … about 2,000 Trees.

  † b.  To put forth, publish (a discourse). Also (after Fr. exposer) to put (coin) in circulation. Obs.

1644.  Vindex Angl., in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), V. 431. Did ever nation expose choicer … discourses, than ours hath done?

1686.  trans. Chardin’s Trav. Persia, Pref. These Notes upon the Bible will be the last Things which I shall expose to the Publick.

1751.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Exposing, It is prohibited to expose false and clipped money.

  8.  To make known, disclose (secrets, one’s intentions or projects, etc.). Formerly in wider sense: To explain, set forth or describe in detail.

1483.  Caxton, Cato, I vj b. His fyrste frend … to whom he exposed his caas and nede. Ibid. (c. 1489), Blanchardyn, lii. 299. The prouost … exposed vnto the … comynalte the charge that he had of blanchardyn.

1541.  R. Copland, Galyen’s Terap., 2 G iv. In the boke … we haue exposed all the differences of vlceres.

1586.  A. Day, Eng. Secretary, II. (1625), 126. Which as an action most singular I haue iudged fit to be exposed in this place vnto him.

1701.  trans. Le Clerc’s Prim. Fathers, 103. They exposed … their Reasons.

1779.  in Athenæum, 16 Aug. (1884), 213/1. He … exposes his intention of returning during winter to Sandwich Island.

1791.  Boswell, Johnson, Ded. The whole truth is not always to be exposed.

1855.  Prescott, Philip II., I. II. viii. 237. Egmont … exposed to the monarch the evils that beset the country.

1873.  J. G. Holland, A. Bonnicastle, xxiii. 350. I exposed my project, which … met with his hearty approval.

  † b.  To set forth the meaning of; to explain, expound. Obs.

1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 436/3. Saynt Jherome exposeth hit thus. Ibid., Cato, D v b. Or otherwyse hyt may be exposed that [etc.].

  9.  To unmask, show up (an error or misrepresentation, an impostor); to hold up to ridicule or reprobation (faults, follies, or those who are guilty of them).

1693.  Dryden, Juvenal, Ded. (1697), p. iv. Like Horace, you only expose the Follies of Men, without arraigning their Vices.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 23, ¶ 7. I have in this Paper endeavoured to expose that particular Breach of Charity.

1777.  Sheridan, Sch. Scand., II. ii. It has led me into so many cursed rogueries, that I doubt I shall be exposed at last.

1826.  Hallam, in Edin. Rev., XLIV. 9. It would be idle to expose the spuriousness of what no one appeared to think authentic.

1876.  Mozley, Univ. Serm., ii. 38. He … saw the imposture and exposed it.

1885.  Manch. Exam., 6 Nov., 5/2. It will serve to expose the hollowness of the hopes.

  † b.  Hence in 17–18th c.: To hold up to ridicule (what is not a fault). Obs. (Stigmatized by Johnson as ‘an improper colloquial abuse.’)

1685.  Stillingfl., Orig. Brit., i. 14. But lest I should seem to expose so ancient a Tradition … I now proceed [etc.].

1705.  Stanhope, Paraphr., I. 73. The most Sacred Things, exposed by insolent Buffoonry.

1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 291, ¶ 7. A little Wit is equally capable of exposing a Beauty, and of aggravating a Fault.

1772.  J. Fletcher, Logica Genev., 29. The round attires of the head, exposed by Isaiah.