Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1700-1800
Language: French
Origin: Latin ostendere 'to show'

ostensible

 adjective
     
os‧ten‧si‧ble
seeming to be the reason for or the purpose of something, but usually hiding the real reason or purpose
ostensible reason/purpose/aim
The ostensible reason for his resignation was ill health.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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