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.
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. (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.
To put in an appearance, to be present; to appear
in person. -- To save appearances, to preserve a
fair outward show.
Syn. -- Coming; arrival; presence; semblance; pretense; air;
look; manner; mien; figure; aspect.