WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Ap*pear"ance
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. apparence, L. apparentia, fr. apparere. See Appear.]
Definition : 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. Probability; likelihood. [Obs.] There is that which hath no appearance. Bacon.

7. (Law)

Defn: 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. To put in an appearance, to be present; to appear in person. -- To save appearances, to preserve a fair outward show.

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


Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913