semblance
/ˈsɛmblən(t)s/ noun C2- The outward appearance or form of a person or thing.
- Followed by of: the outward appearance of a person or thing when regarded as similar to that of another person or thing.
- Followed by of: the outward appearance of a person or thing which is different from what the person or thing actually is; also, an outward appearance of a thing which does not actually exist.
- Followed by of: a person or thing that is seen; an apparition, a vision.
- Followed by of: a person or thing that looks similar to another person or thing; a likeness.
- Followed by of: a bare or mere appearance of something.
- A person's non-verbal behaviour or demeanour which shows their feelings, thoughts, etc., or which is faked to hide such true feelings, thoughts, etc.
- In the form make semblance: an act of appearing; an appearance, a manifestation; also, a false appearance, a pretence.
Plural semblances
From the library
Be sure to provide yourself with some previous engagement which shall have a semblance of probability, and communicate the fact to me by a line in writing.
The mourning in her heart forbade her assuming this simple ornament, though she had not yet had time to put on the outward semblance of woe.
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