appear English · revision 2733

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1250|origins=la pāreō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /əˈpɪə/, US /əˈpɪr/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|aperen]], apperen,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|aparoir]], from the stem aper- of apareir,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[la|appārēre|t=to appear, come in sight]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|la|ad|t=to]] and [[m|la|pārēre|t=to come forth, be visible; to obey]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) which is of uncertain origin;^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster compares Greek peparein “to display”.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of angels, spirits and visions, to appear: about 1250 in the OED.^(OED 1989) To come into view is about 1275 in Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) the late 13th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To present oneself formally before a court or authority is from 1330,^(OED 1989) and of persons, “to present oneself”, from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline) “To seem, to have a certain appearance” is from the late 14th century too.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) To come before the public, as on the stage, is from 1607,^(OED 1989) as an author from 1713,^(OED 1989) and of a book, “to be published”, from 1711.^(OED 1989) ''Appearance'' is from about 1380, in Chaucer's ''House of Fame''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1250 – of a vision, to appear.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1275 – to come into view.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1330 – to appear before a court.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – to seem.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1380 – ''appearance''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1607 – to perform in public.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1711 – of a book, to be published.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To come into view; to become [[visible]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To seem or look to be: ''he appears tired''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To come into existence or use.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To perform or be seen in public; of a book, to be published.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To present oneself formally before a [[court]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[reappear]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[appearance]]

+ * [[apparent]]

+ * [[apparition]]

+ * [[disappear]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Appear'', ''emerge'', ''loom'' and ''materialize'' all mean “to come into view”;^(AHD) ''emerge'' suggests coming out from behind something, ''loom'' appearing large or threatening, and ''materialize'' appearing suddenly as if from nowhere.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}