Ostensibly: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'ostensibilis', meaning 'that can be shown'.
• It first gained popularity in English in the 19th century, often used in legal and philosophical contexts.
• The prefix 'ost-' relates to showing, which ties into the meaning of appearance.

Literature

• Writers often use the term to describe characters whose motivations or feelings are hidden behind a facade.
• In many novels, the conflict arises from what is ostensibly true versus what is actually real, creating tension in plots.
• Notable authors like Jane Austen and F. Scott Fitzgerald have explored themes of pretense and appearances in their works.

Psychology

• Perception is a key area in psychology, where what we see may not always reflect reality, aligning closely with the idea of being ostensibly something.
• Cognitive biases can lead us to believe in something that seems true at first glance but is misleading.
• Understanding how humans interpret appearances can shed light on social interactions and relationships.

Pop Culture

• Movies and TV shows often play with the notion of appearances, where characters seem one way but reveal deeper truths.
• Reality television blurs the lines of what is presented versus reality, making 'ostensibly' a very relevant topic.
• Music lyrics often explore the tension between how things appear and how they truly are, resonating with the concept of being ostensibly something.

Science

• In scientific research, results may initially appear to support a hypothesis but later reveal complexities upon deeper investigation.
• The placebo effect illustrates how patients can feel improvements based solely on the expectation of treatment, showing the power of perception.
• In ecology, certain species may seem dominant in an ecosystem while hidden factors greatly influence their true impact.

Ranked #12,128, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

• ...
• 12125 tenement
• 12126 curtailed
• 12127 crowding
• 12128 ostensibly
• 12129 amenities
• 12130 weighting
• 12131 buck
• ...