• Ostentation

    Pronunciation

    Rhymes: -eɪʃən

    Origin

    Originated 1425–75 from late Middle English ostentacioun, from Middle French ostentation, from Latin ostentātiō, equivalent to ostentātus (past participle of ostentāre, to display or exhibit), frequentative of ostendere (to present, display) + -iōn.

    Full definition of ostentation

    Noun

    ostentation

    (usually uncountable; plural ostentations)
    1. Ambitious display; vain show; display intended to excite admiration or applause.
    2. (obsolete) A show or spectacle.
      • 1599, William Shakespeare, ,Let her awhile be secretly kept in,And publish it that she is dead indeed:Maintain a mourning ostentation;
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