Category:Appear

Ap*pear", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Appeared; p. pr. & vb. n. Appearing.] Etym: [OE. apperen, aperen, OF. aparoir, F. apparoir, fr. L. appar to appear + parto come forth, to be visible; prob. from the same root as par to produce. Cf. Apparent, Parent, Peer, v. i.]

1. To come or be in sight; to be in view; to become visible. And God. . . said, Let. . . the dry land appear. Gen. i. 9.

2. To come before the public; as, a great writer appeared at that time.

3. To stand in presence of some authority, tribunal, or superior person, to answer a charge, plead a cause, or the like; to present one's self as a party or advocate before a court, or as a person to be tried. We must all appear before the judgment seat. * Cor. v. 10. One ruffian escaped because no prosecutor dared to appear. Macaulay.

4. To become visible to the apprehension of the mind; to be known as a subject of observation or comprehension, or as a thing proved; to be obvious or manifest. It doth not yet appear what we shall be. 1 John iii. 2. Of their vain contest appeared no end. Milton.

5. To seem; to have a certain semblance; to look. They disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Matt. vi. 16.

Syn.

-- To seem; look. See Seem.

Ap*pear", n.

Defn: Appearance. [Obs.] J. Fletcher.