Appeared: meaning, definitions and examples
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appeared
[ əˈpɪrd ]
past tense
Appeared is the past tense of the verb 'appear'. It means to become visible or to be seen, often suddenly or unexpectedly. This verb can describe the act of emerging into sight or coming into existence.
Synonyms
arrived, emerged, materialized, showed up
Examples of usage
- She appeared out of nowhere.
- A new singer appeared on the charts.
- He appeared happy despite the news.
- The stars appeared as the sky darkened.
Word origin
The word 'appear' originates from the late Middle English period, derived from the Old French term 'aparaître', which in turn comes from the Latin 'apparere'. The Latin 'apparere' is composed of 'ad-', meaning 'to', and 'parere', meaning 'to come forth' or 'to be visible'. Therefore, the original meaning revolves around the idea of coming into view or becoming perceptible. Over time, the meaning has evolved but retains its essential sense of visibility and emergence. In literature and daily speech, it has been used to describe the manifestation of physical objects, emotions, and even abstract concepts, affirming its versatility and prevalence in the English language.