Definition of disclosure

The word "disclosure" has its roots in 14th-century Middle English. It comes from the Old French words "descloir" and "descloreir," which mean "to uncover" or "to reveal." These French words are derived from the Latin words "des-" (meaning "away" or "forth") and "cloare" (meaning "to hide" or "to cover"), hence the sense of uncovering or revealing something that was previously hidden. In its earliest sense, the word "disclosure" referred to the act of removing a cover or veil, often in a literal sense, such as revealing a hidden treasure or unveiling a statue. Over time, the term took on a broader meaning and now encompasses the idea of sharing or making public any information, whether it be a secret, a truth, or a fact, which was previously unknown or hidden.