A Word A Day : Ostensible

Friday, 28th March 2008 : Today's Word is ...

Ostensible



( Adjective )



Pronunciation : o stén-sse-b'l


Definition:



1. outward appearance

2. presented as being true, or appearing to be true, but usually hiding a different motive or meaning

3. concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious

4. appearing as such but not necessarily so


Etymology:


French, from Medieval Latin ostçnsibilis, from Latin ostçnsus, past participle of ostendere, to show : ob-, ob- + tendere, to stretch


Synonyms:


ostensive, apparent, professed, supposed, perceived, seeming, alleged, superficial


Antonyms:


genuine, real, improbable, obscure, unlikely, vague


Contextual Examples:


• His ostensible purpose was charity, but his real goal was popularity.

• The ostensible purpose of the parade was to celebrate the day, but the prolific political posters made it clear it was part of a campaign.

• The ostensible reason why Ahab did not go on board of the whaler we had spoken was this: the wind and sea betokened storms.

• There is something ostensible in each of them, and in all probability something unseen and unproved, but to be imagined, also.

• I have formed the belief that the man who applauds that air with special violence and ostensible sectional loyalty is invariably a native of India.

• Blake's ostensible mission was to repair a broken telephone, but his real goal was to plant a bomb that would blow up the building.

• Trevor's ostensible kindness to squirrels belied his deep hatred of them.


Related Words:


ostensibly : Adverb


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