A clear display or demonstration of something; the act of making something evident or apparent. Often refers to signs or symptoms of conditions or ideas becoming visible.
From Latin 'manifestus' (clear, evident) + '-ation' suffix. 'Manifestus' combines 'manus' (hand) + 'festus' (struck), literally meaning 'struck by hand' - something so obvious it could be touched. Entered English around 1400s.
The Latin etymology reveals something profound - a manifestation is literally something so clear it's as if you could reach out and touch it, 'struck by hand.' This explains why the word works equally well for physical symptoms of disease and the trendy concept of 'manifesting' dreams into reality through focused intention.
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