Appearance

Table of contents

1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Related Terms

English

Etymology

French apparence , Latin apparentia , from apparere . See Appear.

Pronunciation

IPA: WEAE /ʌˈpɪɹ.əns/

Noun

1. The act of appearing or coming into sight; the act of becoming visible to the eye; as, his sudden appearance surprised me.
2. A thing seed; a phenomenon; a phase; an apparition; as, an appearance in the sky.
3. Personal presence; exhibition of the person; look; aspect; mien.

   And now am come to see . . . It thy appearance answer loud report. --Milton.

4. Semblance, or apparent likeness; external show. pl. Outward signs, or circumstances, fitted to make a particular impression or to determine the judgment as to the character of a person or a thing, an act or a state; as, appearances are against him.

   There was upon the tabernacle, as it were, the appearance of fire. --Num. ix. 15.

   For man looketh on the outward appearance. --1 Sam. xvi. 7.

   Judge not according to the appearance. --John. vii. 24.

5. The act of appearing in a particular place, or in society, a company, or any proceedings; a coming before the public in a particular character; as, a person makes his appearance as an historian, an artist, or an orator.

   Will he now retire, After appearance, and again prolong Our expectation? --Milton.

6. (Law) The coming into court of either of the parties; the being present in court; the coming into court of a party summoned in an action, either by himself or by his attorney, expressed by a formal entry by the proper officer to that effect; the act or proceeding by which a party proceeded against places himself before the court, and submits to its jurisdiction. --Burrill. --Bouvier. --Daniell.

Synonyms

Coming; arrival; presence ; semblance; pretense ; air; look; manner; mien; figure; aspect.

Related Terms

• To put in an appearance = to be present; to appear in person.

1. To save appearances = to preserve a fair outward show.