the act or fact of appearing, as to the eye or mind or before the public: the unannounced appearance of dinner guests; the last appearance of Caruso in Aïda; her first appearance at a stockholders' meeting.
the state, condition, manner, or style in which a person or object appears; outward look or aspect: a table of antique appearance; a man of noble appearance.
outward show or seeming; semblance: to avoid the appearance of coveting an honor.
Law. the coming into court of either party to a suit or action.
appearances,outward impressions, indications, or circumstances: By all appearances, he enjoyed himself.
Philosophy. the sensory, or phenomenal, aspect of existence to an observer.
Archaic. an apparition.
Idioms
keep up appearances, to maintain a public impression of decorum, prosperity, etc., despite reverses, unfavorable conditions, etc.: They tried to keep up appearances after losing all their money.
make an appearance, to come; arrive: He didn't make an appearance until after midnight.
put in an appearance, to attend a gathering or meeting, especially for a very short time: The author put in an appearance at the cocktail party on her way to dinner.
Origin of appearance
1350–1400;appear + -ance; replacing Middle Englishaparance < Anglo-French,Old French < Late Latinappārentia, neuter plural of Latinappārēnsapparent
Related formspre·ap·pear·ance, nounre·ap·pear·ance, nounsub·ap·pear·ance, noun
2. Appearance,aspect,guise refer to the way in which something outwardly presents itself to view. Appearance refers to the outward look: the shabby appearance of his car.Aspect refers to the appearance at some particular time or in special circumstances; it often has emotional implications, either ascribed to the object itself or felt by the beholder: In the dusk the forest had a terrifying aspect.Guise suggests a misleading appearance, assumed for an occasion or a purpose: under the guise of friendship.
late 14c., "visible state or form, figure; mere show," from Anglo-French apparaunce, Old French aparance "appearance, display, pomp" (13c.), from Latin apparentia, abstract noun from aparentem, past participle of apparere (see appear). Meaning "semblance" is recorded from early 15c.; that of "action of coming into view" is mid-15c. Phrase keep up appearances attested from 1760 (save appearances in same sense is 1711).
Also, make an appearance. Be present, especially for a short time, as in We were hoping the rock star would put in an appearance, but she didn't show up, or She was tired and didn't want to go to the party, but decided she had to make an appearance. [Second half of 1600s]
