Appearance

Appearance Ap*pear"ance, n. [F. apparence, L. apparentia, fr. apparere. See {Appear}.] 1. The act of appearing or coming into sight; the act of becoming visible to the eye; as, his sudden appearance surprised me. [1913 Webster]

2. A thing seed; a phenomenon; a phase; an apparition; as, an appearance in the sky. [1913 Webster]

3. Personal presence; exhibition of the person; look; aspect; mien. [1913 Webster]

And now am come to see . . . It thy appearance answer loud report. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

There was upon the tabernacle, as it were, the appearance of fire. --Num. ix. 15. [1913 Webster]

For man looketh on the outward appearance. --1 Sam. xvi. 7. [1913 Webster]

Judge not according to the appearance. --John. vii. 24. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Will he now retire, After appearance, and again prolong Our expectation? --Milton. [1913 Webster]

6. Probability; likelihood. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

There is that which hath no appearance. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

7. (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. [1913 Webster]

{To put in an appearance}, to be present; to appear in person.

{To save appearances}, to preserve a fair outward show. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Coming; arrival; presence; semblance; pretense; air; look; manner; mien; figure; aspect. [1913 Webster]