semblance

noun10

1. •
   The outward appearance or form of a person or thing.

   • Oft haue I seene a timely-parted Ghost, / Of ashy semblance, meager, pale, and bloodlesse, […] — 1591
2. •
   Followed by of: the outward appearance of a person or thing which is different from what the person or thing actually is; also, an outward appearance of a thing which does not actually exist.

   • And other diuels that suggest by treasons, / Do botch and bungle vp damnation, / VVith patches, colours, and vvith formes being fetcht / From glist'ring semblances of piety: […] — 1599
3. •
   Followed by of: a bare or mere appearance of something.
4. •
   (old-fashioned) In the form make semblance: an act of appearing; an appearance, a manifestation; also, a false appearance, a pretence.

   • [T]hey all make semblance of loathing Piero, and knit their fists at him; […] — 1600
5. •
   Followed by of: the outward appearance of a person or thing when regarded as similar to that of another person or thing.
6. •
   Followed by of: a person or thing that looks similar to another person or thing; a likeness.

   • Then call them not the Authors of their ill, / No more then vvaxe shall be accounted euill, / VVherein is stampt the semblance of a Deuill. — 1594
7. •
   A person's non-verbal behaviour or demeanour which shows their feelings, thoughts, etc., or which is faked to hide such true feelings, thoughts, etc.

   • And euer vvhen the Prince vnto him spake, / He louted lovvly, as did him becum, / And humble homage did vnto him make, / Midst sorrovv shevving ioyous semblance for his sake. — 1596
8. •
   Followed by of: a person or thing that is seen; an apparition, a vision.

   • England, seated far north in the turbid sea, now visits my dreams in the semblance of a vast and well-manned ship, which mastered the winds and rode proudly over the waves. — 1826
9. •
   (no longer used) The quality or state of being similar; likeness, resemblance, similarity.

   • I thought no body had been like me, but I see there vvas some Semblance 'tvvixt this good man and I, […] — 1684
10. •
    (no longer used) The chance of something happening; likelihood, probability.

    • And yet some semblance there is that it [a law] vvas yet more ancient, even in the time of Hen[ry] I. if I mistake not the sence of that clause in his lavvs concerning vagabonds; […] — 1647