Apparency

/əˈpærənsi/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of being apparent; obviousness or clarity. How obvious or self-evident something is.

Etymology

From Latin 'apparentia' + English suffix -cy (forming abstract nouns). The -cy suffix transforms adjectives (apparent) into nouns representing states or qualities. This is a rare form; 'apparentness' or 'obviousness' are more common alternatives.

Kelly Says

Why does English have both 'apparency' and 'apparentness'? Competing noun forms sometimes emerge from the same root, and the language naturally kills off the less useful ones. 'Apparency' is losing.

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