ostensible: [18] Ostensible means literally ‘that can be shown’. It comes via French from medieval Latin ostensibilis, a derivative of the Latin verb ostendere ‘show’ (itself a compound formed from the prefix ob- ‘in front of’ and tendere ‘stretch’, source of English extend, tend, tense etc). Its original meaning ‘showable’ survived into English (‘You should send me two letters – one confidential, another ostensible’, Jeremy Bentham, 1828), but seems to have died out by the mid-19th century.
Two metaphorical strands came with it, though. One, ‘vainly conspicuous’, goes right back to ostendere, and is still preserved in English ostentation [15], although it has disappeared as far as ostensible is concerned. The other, ‘presented as real but not so’, is today the central meaning of the adjective. => extend, ostentation, tend, tense
ostensible (adj.)
1762, "capable of being shown, presentable," from French ostensible, from Latin ostens-, past participle stem of ostendere "to show, expose to view; to stretch out, spread before; exhibit, display," from ob "in front of" (see ob-) + tendere "to stretch" (see tenet). Meaning "apparent, professed" is from 1771.
ostensible 英文释义
1. appearing as such but not necessarily so;
"for all his apparent wealth he had no money to pay the rent"
"the committee investigated some apparent discrepancies"
"the ostensible truth of their theories"
"his seeming honesty"
2. represented or appearing as such; pretended;
"His ostensible purpose was charity, his real goal popularity"
ostensible 双语例句
1. The ostensible reason for his absence was illness.
他假托生病缺勤。
来自《权威词典》
2. The ostensible reason wasn't the real reason.
表面上的理由并不是真正的理由.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. The ostensible purpose of these meetings was to gather information on financial strategies.
这些会议声称旨在收集有关金融策略的信息。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Morris Townsend though he was by no means ostensible, was the real occasion of the feast.
尽管没有讲明,莫里斯·汤森德显然是这场宴请的真正目标.
来自辞典例句
5. He resigned secretaryship on the ostensible ground of health.
他借口身体不好,辞去书记的职务.
来自互联网
ostensible 实用场景例句
The ostensible reason for his absence was illness.
他假托生病缺勤。
牛津词典
Troops were sent in, ostensibly to protect the civilian population.
谎称为保护平民而派驻了军队。
牛津词典
The ostensible purpose of these meetings was to gather information on financial strategies.
这些会议声称旨在收集有关金融策略的信息。
柯林斯高阶英语词典
He resigned secretaryship on the ostensible ground of health.
他借口身体不好,辞去书记的职务.
期刊摘选
His ostensible purpose was charity, his real goal popularity.
他表面的目的是做善事, 实际目标是获得声望.
期刊摘选
Morris Townsend though he was by no means ostensible, was the real occasion of the feast.
尽管没有讲明,莫里斯·汤森德显然是这场宴请的真正目标.
辞典例句
Ornate as they are , these ostensible and material are after all nothingness for life.
对于生命而言,表象的、物质的东西再绚丽,终究是空无的.
期刊摘选
His ostensible function was an interpreter.
他名义上的资格是译员.
期刊摘选
The ostensible glory of that company allures the unwary investor.
那家公司表面上的兴隆吸引了那个心存侥幸的投资者.
期刊摘选
Dickinson's poetry, despite its ostensible formal simplicity , is remarkable for its variety, subtlety and richness.
狄金森的诗虽然表面浅显, 但内容多样化, 微妙而又深刻.
期刊摘选
The ostensible reason wasn't the real reason.
表面上的理由并不是真正的理由.
《简明英汉词典》
Ostensible agency is a special kind of agent system.
表见代理是一种特殊的代理制度.
期刊摘选
The ostensible reason for his absence was illness.
他假托生病缺勤。
《牛津高阶英汉双解词典》
The ostensible purpose of these meetings was to gather information on financial strategies.
