01 n. The act of appearing or coming into sight; the act of becoming visible to the eye; as, his sudden appearance surprised me.
-
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.
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.(Law)
Phrases & compounds
To put in an appearance —
to be present; to appear in person.
To save appearances —
to preserve a fair outward show.