Form, shape, figure; appearance, aspect; species. Obsolete.

A pretence, false show, specious appearance; also, a disguise. Now rare.

Outward appearance. Obsolete (archaic in later use).

Outward appearance; show, aspect, or semblance of something, esp. as justifying a particular judgment, course of action, etc. Frequently, esp. in…

The action, or an act, of deceiving the bodily eye by false or unreal appearances, or the mental eye by false prospects, statements, etc.; deception…

†(a) The face as expressive of emotion or character; expression of countenance. Obsolete. (b) Bearing or demeanour in confronting anything; degree…

A false assumption or display, a surface resemblance or imitation, of something.

An assumed appearance; an outward show; a pretence or semblance. Obsolete.

Outward appearance or show; display (of emotion); insincere show of affection; (also) a gesture or act indicative of an attitude or intention. Obs…

A feigned show of doing an action; a pretence of being in possession of some quality, emotion, etc. Obsolete.

Mere appearance or show; feigned or assumed appearance, pretence. Obsolete.

Something to which a person devotes attention or effort; an undertaking, an activity, an occupation, a pursuit. Obsolete.

figurative. That which covers over and conceals; a pretext, pretence, outward show.

Of things, indications, appearances: Fallacious, deceptive. Of a medium of vision: That distorts the object looked at; so in †false glass, false…

figurative. A mere outward show or appearance (of something); a pretence or mask. Cf. visor, n. 3.

Outward show; artificial or assumed expression or appearance; pretence. Also: an instance of this, a disguise, a pretence; (formerly also) †a…

figurative. Hypocrisy, pretence; a sham.

A false, misleading, or illusory appearance of a quality, emotion, etc.; a semblance. Also as a mass noun: mere semblance. Frequently in to have (als…

In obvious figurative uses. Also (sometimes perhaps confused with gloss, n.1), a deceptive appearance, fair semblance, plausible pretext.

= gloss, n.2 1a 1b.

The pretended or counterfeit assumption of some characteristic, idea, etc.; hollow or false display; simulation, pretence; (also) an instance of this.

The quality or state of deceptively appearing to be genuine; speciousness, superficial plausibility. Also: an example of this. Cf. colourable, adj. 1.

Outward action or ceremony; a mere form, pretence. Obsolete except in Scottish phrase, to make fashion: to make a show, pretend.

Acting or pretence. Obsolete. rare.

Mere or false show, appearance, or pretence; an instance of this. Obsolete.

Any artificial manner assumed for deception; a false appearance, a counterfeit semblance or show; deception.

Lustrous appearance.

figurative. Affectation, pretence, sham; †an instance of this. ? Now rare.

An external appearance or display of some quality without underlying reality. (Cf. veneer, n.)

figurative. False outward show; shallow pretence, deceit. Obsolete.

figurative and in immaterial sense.

figurative and in figurative contexts. Something used to conceal faults or errors, or to provide an appearance of honesty, respectability…

figurative. Without article.

In Hindu mythology: illusion, magic; the supernatural power wielded by gods and demons. In Hindu and Buddhist philosophy: the power by which the…

An appearance of truth; verisimilitude.

figurative. Specious semblance, ‘veneer’.

fig. (Cf. veneer, v. 2b.)

fig. A merely outward show or appearance of some good quality. (Cf. varnish, n.1 4.)

The quality of being affected, esp. in manner; = affectation, n.

figurative and in figurative contexts. Something used to make a difficult, unpleasant, or controversial issue, situation, etc., appear to be more…

= simulation, n. 2.

figurative. Something employed as a superficial or cosmetic addition or alteration, esp. something intended to create a falsely favourable or…