Visuals

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Elements that can be seen, contributing to aesthetics or clarity in communication
2. Various graphic components designed to enhance understanding or engagement in presentations or media
3. Graphic representations that aid in conveying information effectively or enhancing an experience

Etymology: The noun "visuals" is simply the plural of "visual", and the plural has taken on a specialised sense in modern English. Its root is Latin "vidēre", "to see", which also gave us "visage". The adjective came through Middle English from French "visuel", ultimately from Late Latin "vīsuālis", "of sight", built from "vīsus", "sight, vision", plus the adjective suffix "-ālis". The noun meaning "graphic display materials" is a more recent development: the adjective "visual" became a noun for pictures, charts and slides used to communicate an idea, and the plural form is the usual way to refer to that material collectively. The word thus moves from describing what relates to sight to naming the things made to be seen.