apparent

adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French apparant, from Latin apparent-, apparens, present participle of apparēre to appear Date: 14th century 1. open to view ; visible 2. clear or manifest to the understanding <

reasons that are readily apparent

> 3. appearing as actual to the eye or mind 4. having an indefeasible right to succeed to a title or estate 5. manifest to the senses or mind as real or true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be factually valid <

the air of spontaneity is perhaps more apparent than real — J. R. Sutherland

> • apparentness noun Synonyms: apparent, illusory, seeming, ostensible mean not actually being what appearance indicates. apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge <

the apparent cause of the accident

>. illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view <

an illusory sense of security

>. seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else <

the seeming simplicity of the story

>. ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one <

the ostensible reason for their visit

>. Synonym: see in addition evident.