manifestation
/ˌmænɪfɛˈsteɪʃən/
noun
Origin
Latin
manifestus — clear, evident, palpable
Overview
Meaning Now
- An event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something, especially a theory or an abstract idea.
- A manifestation, especially in a spiritual or supernatural sense (e.g., an apparition).
- The process by which something is made visible or evident.
Literal older meaning
the act of being made clear to the hand or senses
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
manifestacion
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The term is rooted in the Latin 'manifestus', which likely combined 'manus' (hand) and 'festus' (seized), implying something so clear it is as if it were 'seized by the hand'. Over time, it evolved from legal usage (a person caught in the act) to abstract theological and philosophical concepts.
Evolution
- Latin, 1st century BC
manifestus
“caught in the act, plain, palpable”
Possibly from 'manus' (hand) + 'festus' (struck/seized)
- Late Latin, 4th century
manifestatio
“a making evident”
- Middle English, 14th century
manifestacion
“a public display or proof”
Adopted via Old French
Connections
Word parts
manifest
root
evident
-ation
suffix
forming a noun denoting an act, process, or result
Related across languages
French
demonstration, display, manifestation
Spanish
manifestación
protest, demonstration
Explore next
Related to manifestation
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.