from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Appear \Ap*pear"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Appeared}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Appearing}.] [OE. apperen, aperen, OF. aparoir, F.
apparoir, fr. L. appar?re to appear + par?reto come forth, to
be visible; prob. from the same root as par?re to produce.
Cf. {Apparent}, {Parent}, {Peer}, v. i.]
1. To come or be in sight; to be in view; to become visible.
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And God . . . said, Let . . . the dry land appear.
--Gen. i. 9.
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2. To come before the public; as, a great writer appeared at
that time.
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3. To stand in presence of some authority, tribunal, or
superior person, to answer a charge, plead a cause, or the
like; to present one's self as a party or advocate before
a court, or as a person to be tried.
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We must all appear before the judgment seat. --2
Cor. v. 10.
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One ruffian escaped because no prosecutor dared to
appear. --Macaulay.
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4. To become visible to the apprehension of the mind; to be
known as a subject of observation or comprehension, or as
a thing proved; to be obvious or manifest.
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It doth not yet appear what we shall be. --1 John
iii. 2.
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Of their vain contest appeared no end. --Milton.
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5. To seem; to have a certain semblance; to look.
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They disfigure their faces, that they may appear
unto men to fast. --Matt. vi.
16.
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Syn: To seem; look. See {Seem}.
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