ostentation
(ɒstənˈteɪʃən)
[a. F. ostentation, OF. -acion (1366 in Hatz.-Darm.), ad. L. ostentātiōn-em, n. of action from ostentāre: see prec.]
† 1. The presaging of future events; a presage; a portent, prodigy. Obs. rare.
| 1436 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 190 Many a day Men have be ferde of here rebellioun By grete tokenes and ostentacioun. 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 263 There have been predictions or ostentations of things to come, taken from a Wolf, a Fox, a Serpent, and a Horse, which were called Auspicia Pedestria. |
2. The action of showing or displaying; a show, exhibition, display (of something). In quot. 1865 = demonstration 6 (military). Obs. or arch.
| 1534 More Comf. agst. Trib. ii. Wks. 1191/1 Al theyr wonderful workes draw to no fruteful end, but to a fruitelesse ostentacion and shew. 1587 Fleming Contn. Holinshed III. 1557/2 With such other false ostentations of immanitie. 1599 Shakes. Much Ado iv. i. 207 Publish it, that she is dead indeed: Maintaine a mourning ostentation. 1606 ― Ant. & Cl. iii. vi. 52 But you are come A Market-maid to Rome, and haue preuented The ostentation of our loue; which left vnshewne, Is often left vnlou'd. 1608 Topsell Serpents (1658) 594 When..they make ostentation hereof in the Market, or publique Stage, they suffer them to bite their own flesh. a 1716 South Serm. (1744) X. vii. 221 For ostentation of strength and valour, at their publick sights and shows. 1865 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. xix. iv. (1872) VIII. 153 Finck to ride-out reconnoitering..and to make motions and ostentations. |
† b. Mere show, appearance, apparition; false show, pretence. Obs.
| 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 354 In truth there was no such thing, and all was but a fantastical ostentation. 1649 Milton Eikon. ii. 21 He..who thinks by such weak policies and ostentations to gaine beliefe and absolution. |
† c. A spectacular show or exhibition. Obs.
| 1588 Shakes. L.L.L. v. i. 118 The King would haue mee present the Princesse..with some delightfull ostentation, or show, or pageant, or anticke, or fire-worke. |
3. Display intended to attract notice or admiration; pretentious parade, vainglorious ‘showing off’.
| c 1450 tr. De Imitatione iii. lix. 139 Grace also techiþ to..eschue veyne plesaunce & ostentacion. 1555 Eden Decades To Rdr. (Arb.) 49 The fonde and barbarous ostentation of superfluous riches. 1625 K. Long tr. Barclay's Argenis ii. xvii. 117 Under colour of seeking to learne wisdome, but indeed to make ostentation of his owne. 1661 Papers on Alter. Prayer-bk. 22 The ostentation of his good works, is not the work of a good Christian. 1764 Goldsm. Trav. 273 Hence ostentation here, with tawdry art, Pants for the vulgar praise which fools impart. 1874 Green Short Hist. viii. §3. 483 The frivolous ostentation of Buckingham..gave point to the fierce attack. |