Affiche

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A colorful printed notice intended for public display that informs viewers about events or promotes products or services
2. A visual promotional tool often found in public spaces that conveys essential information regarding events or announcements
3. A printed sheet designed for exhibition in public places to announce or advertise something

Etymology: The Latin root is "figere," meaning "to fix" or "to fasten," which is also the source of "fix" itself. A Vulgar Latin verb "fīgicāre," meaning "to fasten repeatedly," was built on it, and this passed into Old French as "fichier," meaning to fix or pin something. Adding the prefix "a-" (from Latin "ad," "to") produced "afichier," and the French verb "afficher" came to mean to post or pin up a notice in a public place. The noun "affiche" is simply the thing that gets posted: a notice, bill, or poster fixed to a wall or board. The French word was borrowed into English in the 19th century, when it was used for the French-style street posters of the period. Its meaning has stayed close to the original idea of something fastened up for everyone to read.

Synonyms: poster, bill