Os‐ten″si‐ble (ŏs‐tĕn″sĭ‐b'l), a. [From L. ostensus, p. p. of ostendere to show, prop., to stretch out before; fr. prefix obs- (old form of ob-) + tendere to stretch. See Tend.]
1. Capable of being shown; proper or intended to be shown. Walpole.
2. Shown; exhibited; declared; avowed; professed; apparent; — often used as opposed to real or actual; as, an ostensible reason, motive, or aim. D. Ramsay.