† semblantn.
Obsolete.
1.
a. A person's outward aspect or appearance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [noun]
onseneeOE
bleea1000
shapeOE
ylikeOE
laitc1175
semblanta1225
sightc1275
fare1297
showingc1300
specea1325
parelc1330
guise1340
countenance1362
semblance?a1366
apparel1377
regardc1380
apparencec1384
imagec1384
spicec1384
overseeminga1398
kenninga1400
seemingc1400
visage1422
rinda1450
semenauntc1450
'pearance1456
outwardc1475
representation1489
favour?a1500
figurea1522
assemblant1523
prospect?1533
respect1535
visure1545
perceiverance1546
outwardshine1549
view1556
species1559
utter-shape1566
look1567
physiognomy1567
face1572
paintry1573
visor1575
mienc1586
superficies?1589
behaviour1590
aspect1594
complexion1597
confrontment1604
show1604
aira1616
beseeminga1616
formality1615
resemblancea1616
blush1620
upcomea1630
presentment1637
scheme1655
sensation1662
visibility1669
plumage1707
facies1727
remark1748
extrinsica1797
exterior1801
showance1820
the cut of one's jib1823
personnel1839
personal appearance1842
what-like1853
look-see1898
outwall1933
visuality1938
prosopon1947
a1225 St. Marher. 5 Salue me mine wunden þat hit ne sem..o mi samblant þat ich derf drehe.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. 322/799 Þe eiȝene stareinde, And þe mouth of foul semblaunt.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 3985 Þer come in tuelf olde men wiþ euene pas þere, Men of wel vair semblant.
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 5537 (Kölbing) Alle his barouns him seyd, ywis. It sembled men of gret priis, Her semblaunt hem bar witnisse.
c1440 Generydes 4019 By hir semlante he thought it shuld be she.
a1529 J. Skelton Phyllyp Sparowe (?1545) sig. C.viv His feule semblaunt All displeasaunt.
1594 R. Carew tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne v. 210 And with a semblant braue and nobellest, (As lightning wonts) he in his armour shines.
1595 R. Southwell Poet. Wks. (1856) 118 In springing locks lay crouched hoary wit, In semblant young, a grave and ancient port.
b. esp. as betokening the thoughts, feelings, mood, disposition, etc.: Demeanour, air, look, expression.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > demeanour or bearing
i-bereOE
i-letelOE
lundc1175
semblanta1240
countenancec1290
fare1297
porturec1300
bearinga1325
portc1330
abearc1350
demeaning14..
habit1413
apporta1423
havingsa1425
maintenance?c1436
demeanc1450
maintain?1473
deport1474
maintaining1477
demeanance1486
affair1487
containing1487
behaviour1490
representation1490
haviour?1504
demeanour1509
miena1522
function1578
amenance1590
comportance1590
portance1590
purport1590
manage1593
style1596
dispose1601
deportments1603
comportment1605
garb1605
aira1616
deportment1638
comport1660
tour1702
sway1753
disport1761
maintien1814
tenue1828
portment1833
allure1841
a1240 Sawles Warde in Cott. Hom. 247 Nis hare nan þe ne..gulteð ilome, oðer ifol semblant oder in vuel dede.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 275 Socrates..drank venym wiþ stedfast semblaunt [L. constanti vultu].
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 253 And thei hire sihe of glad semblant, Al full of merthes and of bordes.
a1400 Coer de L. 3464 Kyng Richard..Abouten hym gan loke ful yerne With wrathful semblaunt and eyen sterne.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. iii. 34 With seymland full sory, Wryngand both my handys For drede.
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour iii. xi. sig. bviii Pacience is a noble vertue,..retayninge all wayes glad semblaunt in aduersitie, and doloure.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. x. sig. K2v Therein sate an amiable Dame, That seem'd to be of very sober mood, And in her semblant shewed great womanhood. View more context for this quotation
1651 J. Saint-Amard tr. F. Micanzio Life Father Paul sig. B2v Being in himselfe..of a semblant or meane, alwaies thoughtfull, and rather melancholique then serious.
c. The demeanour or ‘countenance’ which a person exhibits towards others; good or fair semblant, favourable countenance, favour. Also, a look or glance cast upon another. Cf. 3b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > in social intercourse
semblantc1330
conversationa1340
affairsa1400
entertainment1531
carriage1588
converse1660
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 6434 He tok sire Conan by þe hond, & on hym low wyþ god semblaunt [Petyt MS. faire semblande].
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 87 Som wikked men sight þat Berthericus hadde good semblant of meny men [L. quod Bercaricus a multis esset salutatus].
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur ii. xvii. 96 He sawe an hondred ladyes and many knyghtes that welcommed hym with fayr semblaunt.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 81 And Ysiphile on that other syde alwaye in her amerouse semblants and Regardes.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer ii. f. cccxlviiv And she aperceyuyng this fantasye in myne herte, gan her semblaunt goodly on me caste.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. x. sig. Nn6 A minde which could cast a carelesse semblant vppon the greatest conflictes of Fortune.
1598 B. Yong tr. J. de Montemayor Diana 49 Whereupon Doria with a gratious semblant answered her thus againe.
d. With contextual implication that the appearance is deceitful or misleading. Often false or fair semblant (= French faux, beau semblant).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > demeanour or bearing > with idea of deceit
false or fair semblant?c1225
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 103 & þe fals ancre..habbeð efter þe fox an simple sembant [read semblant] sumchere & beoð þach ful of gile.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 7 The word was lich to the conceite Withoute semblant of deceite.
1401 26 Pol. Poems 13/122 The world is like a fals lemman, ffayre semblaunt, and moche gyle.
1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. iv. 204 Shortly after the necessity ceased, or the false semblant [L. simulatio].
1600 M. Sutcliffe Briefe Replie to Libel v. 121 In outward semblant they are sheepe, but inwardly they are goates.
e. The face, countenance. (= Latin vultus.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > [noun]
leera700
nebeOE
onseneeOE
wlitec950
anlethOE
nebshaftc1225
snouta1300
facec1300
visage1303
semblantc1315
vicea1325
cheera1350
countenance1393
front1398
fashiona1400
visurec1400
physiognomyc1425
groina1500
faxa1522
favour1525
facies1565
visor1575
complexiona1616
frontispiecea1625
mun1667
phiz1687
mug1708
mazard1725
physiog1791
dial plate1811
fizzog1811
jiba1825
dial1837
figurehead1840
Chevy Chase1859
mooey1859
snoot1861
chivvy1889
clock1899
map1899
mush1902
pan1920
kisser1938
boat1958
boat race1958
punim1965
c1315 Shoreham Poems ii. 57 Hy..By-spet hym þat swe[t]e semblant Þat heuene and erþe a-lyȝtte [L. Vultum Dei conspuunt, lumen caeli gratum].
c1380 J. Wyclif Last Age Church (1840) 36 Jhūs wente into heuene to apere to þe semlant of God for us [Heb. ix. 24 ut appareat nunc vultui Dei pro nobis].
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke xxiv. 5 Whenne thei dredden, and bowiden her semelant [a1425 L.V. semblaunt, a1450 Corpus Cambr. 147 sembland; L. declinarent vultum] in to erthe.
c1425 St. Mary of Oignies i. xii, in Anglia VIII. 147/43 In swote of þy semelande þou schalte ete þy mete.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 452/1 Semelawnt [Winch. MS. Seemlaunte], vultus.
1483 Cath. Angl. 329/1 A Semlande [v.r. Semblande], vultus.
2.
a. gen. Appearance, seeming, outward aspect; also, an appearance or show (whether true or false) of some quality, etc. Also, something that exists only in appearance or pretence.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [noun] > seeming
semblant?c1225
coloura1325
countenance1362
appearancec1386
seemc1440
fair seeming1484
resemblant1485
seeming1576
apparition1613
semblancea1616
imposture1643
verisimile1652
seemingness1656
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 303 Vnder semblant of god is ofte ihuled sunne.
c1386 G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale 872 No pompe, no semblant of roialtee.
a1555 J. Philpot tr. C. S. Curione Def. Authority Christ's Church in R. Eden Exam. & Writings J. Philpot (1842) (modernized text) 388 So that I dare say that the temples of the cruel barbarous nations have more semblant of religion.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. iv. sig. Ff7 And thousand fancies bett his ydle brayne With their light wings, the sights of semblants vaine.
1591 E. Spenser Virgil's Gnat in Complaints sig. H3 Ne measures all things by the costly rate Of riotise, and semblants outward braue.
1624 Briefe Information Affaires Palatinate 42 Counterfeit Embassades sent here and there, vnder false pretexts and semblants.
b. by semblant, in appearance or aspect (cf. Old French par semblant). Also in semblant, in seeming.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [adverb]
by semblant?a1366
by (also of) semblety?1553
by (also from) the look(s)1625
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [adverb] > seemingly or apparently
in semblant?a1366
quasi1485
cloakedlya1500
appearingly1554
in show1556
apparentlya1572
pearinglya1578
with show1614
seeminglya1616
seemingly1715
seemly1821
in semblance1864
semblably1889
mbu2002
?a1366 Romaunt Rose 152 And ful of gyle, and felle corage, By semblaunt [Fr. par semblant] was that ilke ymage.
c1386 G. Chaucer Squire's Tale 508 Right so this god of loue, this ypocryte..kepeth in semblant alle hise obseruances That sowneth in to gentillesse of loue.
c1400 Brut i. 120 He saw a wonder faire ymage, & wel made, & in semblant as it were an Archire.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid i. xi. 43 As Cupide hingis abowt Eneas hals,..fenȝeand luif full fals, By sembland as he his fader hed bene.
3. to make semblant [= French faire semblant] .
a. To have or assume a (specified) expression, look, or demeanour.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > have (specific) appearance [verb (intransitive)]
looka1225
to make semblantc1290
to make or show (a specified) semblancea1387
showc1480
show1526
eyea1616
aspect1635
face1669
regard1820
feature1941
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. 322/797 Ȝwane huy i-seoz heore felawe to torment i-brouȝt, Luþur semblaunt huy makiez boþe, as it ne likede heom nouȝt.
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iii. vii. 141 Allway where he wente he made heuy and tryste semblant.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) ix. 250 Thai..maid gude sembland for the ficht.
1561 Randolph Let. to Cecil (Calig. B.x) f. 32 It is said..what semblant somever the noble men do make, that they are grieved with their queen's refusal.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 803 Valetta although his mind..was inwardly attainted with exceeding greefe, yet made semblant otherwise.
1624 Briefe Information Affaires Palatinate 49 Where yet neuerthelesse was made all manner of faire semblant, and seeming to haue a desire to giue satisfaction.
b. To show a (good or ill) countenance (to any one); to give (a person) a welcome, reception, or entertainment (of a specified character, friendly or unfriendly). Cf. 1c.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > visit [verb (transitive)] > receive as visitor > in specific manner
to make semblant?c1225
underfoc1425
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 72 His echȝe. aa bi hald þe ȝef þu makest ani semblant. ani luuelates towart unðeawes.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. 41/256 Þe schrewe heom made fair semblaunt,..Þat huy were for-dronke beie and a-slepe leiȝen sone.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour 24 Y praie you..that ye make me never the worse chere..nor that ye make me not the worse semblaunt.
a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 1142 The kyng toke hym be the hande, And made hym glad semelande.
c. To make a show, appearance, or pretence of; to appear to do or be something; to seem likely, threaten, to do. (Cf. French faire semblant de). Also occasionally without const.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > face danger [verb (intransitive)] > appear probable (to do or turn out evil)
to make semblant1470
threaten1780
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > be or seem likely [verb (intransitive)] > to do
semblea1400
to make semblant1470
had (also was, were) likely?1503
had like to1548
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > have an appearance of, dissemble [verb (intransitive)]
to make semblant1470
to make semblancea1500
face1566
daub1876
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur vii. viii. 224 And therwith al he made a semblaunt to slee hym.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde iii. xvi. 171 They..make semblaunt to be moche grete clerkis & experte.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) viii. 238 Lordingis, now ȝhe se How ȝon men, throu thar gret pouste, Wald, and thai mycht fulfill thar will, Slay vs, and mak sembland thar-till.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lix. 205 Whan they saw them comynge, they made semblaunt to returne to the cyte a soft pace.
1573 New Custome Prol. sig. A ij Makinge semblant of antiquitie in all that they did.
1601 R. Dolman tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. III. 383 He will make semblant to despise and scorne the hounds.
1629 J. Maxwell tr. Herodian Hist. App. 98 Seeing what was done, could not be vndone, they..made semblant of reioycing, as others did.
d. With clause introduced by that, as, as if, as though. Also rarely with obj. + infinitive.
ΚΠ
c1340 Ayenb. 137 Þe wel couaytouse wrechche, þet..makeþ alneway semblont þet he ne heþ naȝt.
c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋570 Þay make semblaunt as þough þay speke of good entencioun.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17288 + 389 Iesus made hom semblant os he wald ferrer goo.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin ii. 25 When Vortiger wiste he was ded, he made semblaunt as he hadde be right wroth.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Mark vi. 45–52 Jesus..made semblaunte as though he would haue passed by them.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer i. E ij b Some Oratours..dissemblinge their cunning, made semblant their orations to bee made very simply.
1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. xiv. vii. 15 Making faire semblant, That himselfe was much disquieted.
e. With negative (or its equivalent): Not to let one's thoughts, feelings, etc. appear; to show no sign (of); not to seem (or not to seem likely) to be or do something. (So in French, esp. in phr. ne faire semblant de rien, to take no notice.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > operate secretly [verb (intransitive)]
to make semblantc1230
underpull1695
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > have (specific) appearance [verb (intransitive)] > make specific appearance
to make semblantc1230
showc1405
to make (a) countenance1470
countenance1486
to make semblancea1500
semble1542
to give a visage1549
to make resemblance1566
to set a countenance1600
figure1762
c1230 Hali Meid. (Bodl.) 44 Me þeo þe best luuieð, ham to-beoreð ofte þrin, þah ha na semblant [MS. Titus þerof na semblaund] ne makien ine marhen.
a1330 Otuel 467 To smiten made he semblant non, Er otuwel was risen & gon.
a1400 Guy Warw. 2290 Þurch his bodi þe blod ran; Tirri made no semblaunt of þan.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour xiv. 19 Her suster, that had lost atte the plaie as well as she, made no semblaunt of her losse.., but made as good chere as she hadd wonne.
?1473 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Recuyell Hist. Troye (1894) I. lf. 32 Whan saturne sawe that his enemyes made no semblant to meue.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxii. 256 Whan Gerard vnderstode the kynge he was ioyfull ther of in his herte, but he made no semblaunt of ioy by cause of the lordes that were there present.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Gloucester xxii Yet openly in shewe made he no semblaunt, By worde nor by deed to beare displeasure.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 368 For all that, Moses neither in word or countenance made any semblant of liking, or disliking the message.
f. In similar phrases with other verbs, as to show or kithe semblant; to give a semblant (of). to let no semblant be seen: cf. 1e.
ΚΠ
a1400 Guy Warw. 2214 Al togider þai gun smite; Semblant of loue þai kidde bot lite.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 468 Þaȝ Arþer þe hende kyng at hert hade wonder, He let no semblaunt be sene.
a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l. 29067 Bot when ȝe fast, þan sall ȝe schaw Meri sembland with glad chere.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 252 The whiche esquyer with his companye came with amyable contenaunce, shewyng no semblaunt but as frendes.
1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. iv. ii. 430 Had not fiue cohorts of the Pompeian horse..giuen a semblant of flying [L. nisi cohortes hostium quinque..fugae speciem praebuissent].
4. A likeness or resemblance, an image or portrait (of).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > representation in art > [noun] > an artistic representation
ylikenesseOE
likenessOE
anlikenessOE
ylikeOE
imagec1300
acornc1388
portraiturea1393
resemblancea1393
semblanta1400
counterfeitc1400
shapec1400
statuec1405
representation1477
presentationa1513
presentment1535
effigy1539
porture1542
express1553
effigium1564
representance1565
designment1570
icon1572
mimesisa1586
effigies1615
expressurea1616
represent1615
signature1618
proportion1678
representative1766
rendering1825
buggerlugs1839
effigiation1876
a1400 Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. 84/21 Hys semblant he sete my saule with-in.
1422 J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. lvi. 217 Phylomon..sayde, ‘who-so Is this ymage?’ They sayden, ‘this ys the Semblaunt of the wyse ypocras’.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. ii. sig. B4v But he the knight, whose semblaunt he did beare, The true Saint George was wandred far away.
1614 T. White Martyrdome St. George sig. D3 Here's thy clay-frame,—God, doe with it thy pleasure; Here's thine owne semblant by my sinnes abased.
1617 S. Collins Epphata to F. T. ii. x. 416 While we lay downe the old man, and take vp the new, there is a semblant of our dying, as well as of our rising againe.
5. By extension from 3b (where cf. quot. c1290): Entertainment furnished to guests. (For the sense-development cf. cheer n.1)
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > social event > hospitality > [noun]
gesteningc1200
semblant1297
guestinga1300
harbergery1303
hospitalityc1384
harbergagec1386
cheerc1390
rehetc1390
waitinga1400
hostryingec1470
entreaty1525
entertainment1576
entertain1591
hostelity1593
hospitage1611
xenodochy1623
hospitation1863
entertaining1883
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 7167 He ber þe croune & huld þe deis mid oþer atil al so, & mid gret semblant þe feste huld.
a1400 Seuyn Sages (W.) 404 Thai..maked at ese the messagers, With god semblant, and glade chers.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 131 He..Solased hem with semblaunt & syled fyrre.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
semblantadj.
/ˈsɛmblənt/ Now rare or Obsolete.† 1. † b. Of a portrait: Resembling the original.† 2. That simulates an appearance. Obsolete.
a. Like, similar. Const. to. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adjective] > to or with
ylikeOE
semblablec1374
shapelyc1374
resemblablea1393
resemblanta1393
visible1412
participantc1485
semblant1485
alikea1500
conformable1526
conform1553
semnable1651
similar1657
unopposite1825
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xviii. 285 And in semblaunce [v.r. semblaunt] of a serpent sat on þe appeltre.]
1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. miijv/1 O comforte of my body,..resemblyng to Iudas machabeus in prowesse, samblant to sampson in strengthe.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid x. xii. 130 Bot siclike chancis and semblant [v.r. sembland] ennoy Abydis the.
1607 J. Carpenter Plaine Mans Spirituall Plough 15 They had..followed after strange and false gods, as semblant to the Heathens.
1612 W. Sclater Ministers Portion 1 In other semblant imployments.
1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. iv. 33 Two youths approach, whose semblant features prove Their blood devolving from the source of Jove.
1729 R. Savage Wanderer ii. 24 This figure tender grief, like mine, implies, And semblant thoughts, that earthly pomp despise.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adjective] > closely resembling > lifelike
livelyc1330
lifelikea1522
natural1581
speaking1582
vive1584
breathing1669
semblant1714
thinking1732
nature-true1850
vivid1852
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > painting > painting according to subject > [adjective] > portrait-painting > bearing faithful resemblance
like1561
semblant1714
1714 M. Prior Epist. Desiring Queen's Picture 18 That as their Eyes survey The semblant Shade, Men yet unborn may say: Thus Great, thus Gracious look'd Britannia's Queen.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > [adjective] > theatrical in nature
histrionicalc1553
histrionic1627
pageant1634
theatrical1649
semblant1726
theatric1816
play-acting1875
1726 W. Hamilton in A. Ramsay Gentle Shepherd (ed. 2) Ded. p. viii And semblant falsehood puts on truth's disguise.
3. Seeming, apparent, counterfeit.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [adjective] > seeming or apparent
huedc1000
showing?c1400
seemlya1450
apparissaunt1485
superficial1616
specious1617
semblable1627
apparent1645
representative1646
skin-deep1653
appearing1656
seemingly1725
semblative1814
semblant1840
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > [adjective]
fairOE
seeming1340
feignedc1374
colourablea1400
whitea1413
coloured?c1425
satiablec1487
provable1588
specious1611
well-seeminga1616
superficial1616
meretricious1633
glosseda1640
probable1639
spurious1646
fucatious1654
ostensible1762
well-looking1811
semblant1840
1840 Blackwood's Mag. 47 776 This alliance between Rome and a wide semblant indifference towards all creeds is the most characteristic and portentous sign of the times.
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes v. 284 Thou art not true; thou art not extant, only semblant.
1843 T. Carlyle Past & Present i. ii. 16 A just real union as of brother and brother, not a false and merely semblant one as of slave and master.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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n.a1225
adj.1485