a. [ F. apparent, L. apparens, -entis, p. pr. of apparere. See Appear. ] 1. Capable of being seen, or easily seen; open to view; visible to the eye; within sight or view. [ 1913 Webster ] The moon . . . apparent queen. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Clear or manifest to the understanding; plain; evident; obvious; known; palpable; indubitable. [ 1913 Webster ] It is apparent foul play. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Appearing to the eye or mind (distinguished from, but not necessarily opposed to, true or real); seeming; as the apparent motion or diameter of the sun. [ 1913 Webster ] To live on terms of civility, and even of apparent friendship. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ] What Berkeley calls visible magnitude was by astronomers called apparent magnitude. Reid. [ 1913 Webster ]
Apparent horizon, the circle which in a level plain bounds our view, and is formed by the apparent meeting of the earth and heavens, as distinguished from the rational horizon. --
Apparent time. See Time. --
Heir apparent (Law), one whose to an estate is indefeasible if he survives the ancestor; -- in distinction from presumptive heir. See Presumptive. [ 1913 Webster ]
Syn. -- Visible; distinct; plain; obvious; clear; certain; evident; manifest; indubitable; notorious. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
