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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

os·ten·ta·tion

Audio Help [os-ten-tey-shuh

n, -tuh

n-] Pronunciation Key

–noun

1.	pretentious or conspicuous show, as of wealth or importance; display intended to impress others.

2.	Archaic. the act of showing or exhibiting; display.

[Origin: 1425–75; late ME ostentacioun < MF ostentation < L ostentātiōn- (s. of ostentātiō), equiv. to ostentāt(us) ptp. of ostentāre to display, exhibit, freq. of ostendere to present, display (equiv. to os-, var of ob- ob- + ten(dere) to stretch + -t- freq. suffix + -ātus -ate¹) + -iōn- -ion

]

—Synonyms 1. pretension, pretense. See show.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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ostentation

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

os·ten·ta·tion Audio Help (ŏs'těn-tā'shən, -tən-) Pronunciation Key
n.

Pretentious display meant to impress others; boastful showiness.
Archaic The act or an instance of showing; an exhibition.

[Middle English ostentacioun, from Old French ostentacion, from Latin ostentātiō, ostentātiōn-, from ostentāre, frequentative of ostendere, to show; see ostensible.]

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
ostentation

1436, from M.Fr. ostentation (1366), from L. ostentationem (nom. ostentatio) "vain display," from ostentatus, pp. of ostentare "to display," freq. of ostendere (see ostensible).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

ostentation
noun
1.	a gaudy outward display
2.	lack of elegance as a consequence of being pompous and puffed up with vanity
3.	pretentious or showy or vulgar display

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Ostentation

Os`ten*ta"tion\, n. [L. ostentatio: cf. F. ostentation.]

1. The act of ostentating or of making an ambitious display; unnecessary show; pretentious parade; -- usually in a detractive sense. "Much ostentation vain of fleshly arm." --Milton.

He knew that good and bountiful minds were sometimes inclined to ostentation. --Atterbury.

2. A show or spectacle. [Obs.] --Shak.

Syn: Parade; pageantry; show; pomp; pompousness; vaunting; boasting. See Parade.

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ostentation

ostentation was Word of the Day on October 27, 2002.

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