different between exposition vs expound

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?ksp??z???n/

Etymology 1

From Middle English exposicioun, from Old French esposicion, from Latin expositio, from exponere (“to put forth”).

Noun

exposition (countable and uncountable, plural expositions)

1. The action of exposing something to something, such as skin to the sunlight.
2. (authorship) The act or process of declaring or describing something through either speech or writing; the portions and aspects of a piece of writing that exist mainly to describe the setting, characters and other non-plot elements.

3. (obsolete) The act of expulsion, or being expelled, from a place.
4. An event at which goods, artwork and cultural displays are exhibited for the public to view.

5. (authorship) An essay or speech in which any topic is discussed in detail.

6. (authorship) An opening section in fiction, in which background information about the characters, events or setting is conveyed.
8. (music) The opening section of a movement in sonata form; the opening section of a fugue.
9. The abandonment of an unwanted child.

Etymology 2

From French exposition (“exhibition”)

Noun

exposition (countable and uncountable, plural expositions)

1. The action of putting something out to public view; for example in a display or show.

Derived terms

• expositional
• expositionary

Related terms

• exhibition

Translations

See also

• explanation
• exegesis

French

Etymology

From Old French esposicion, borrowed from Latin expositio, expositionem.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?k.spo.zi.sj??/

Noun

exposition f (plural expositions)

1. exposition
2. exhibition
3. exposure

Further reading

• “exposition” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French espondre, from Latin exponere. Doublet of expose.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?k?spa?nd/
• Rhymes: -a?nd

Verb

expound (third-person singular simple present expounds, present participle expounding, simple past and past participle expounded)

1. (transitive) To set out the meaning of; to explain or discuss at length

   Synonym: spell out

2. (intransitive) To make a statement, especially at length.

   He expounded often on the dangers of the imperial presidency.

Related terms

Translations