Definitions For Ostent

Etymology 1

{{PIE root, en, tend}} From {{der, en, frm, ostenter, , to make an ostentatious display of}}, or directly from its {{glossary, etymon}} {{der, en, la, ostentāre}},{{R:OED Online, entry=† ostent, pos=v, id=133105, date=September 2004}} {{glossary, present}} {{glossary, active}} {{glossary, infinitive}} of ostentō, , to exhibit, present, show; to show off, {{glossary, frequentative}} of ostendō, , to exhibit, show, from ob-, pos=prefix meaning ‘against; towards’ + tendō, , to extend, stretch; to distend (from {{der, en, ine-pro, *tend-, , to extend, stretch}}).

Pronunciation

(RP) /ˈɒstɛnt/ (GA) /ˈɑstɛnt/ {{hyphenation, en, os, tent}} (audio stream unavailable)

Verb

{{en-verb}} (ambitransitive, obsolete) To make an ambitious display#noun, display of; to exhibit#verb, exhibit or show#verb, show boastingly; to ostentate.

Etymology 2

From {{der, en, frm, ostente, , amazing or marvellous thing; prodigy, wonder}} or directly from its {{glossary, etymon}} {{der, en, la, ostentum, , portent}}, from ostendere, {{glossary, present}} {{glossary, active}} {{glossary, infinitive}} of ostendō, , to exhibit, show; see further at #etymology 1, etymology 1.{{R:OED Online, pos=n.{{sup, 1}}, noformat=yes, id=133103, date=September 2004}} The plural form ostenta is from {{der, en, la, ostenta}}.

Pronunciation

(RP) /ˈɒstɛnt/ (GA) /ˈɑstɛnt/ {{hyphenation, en, os, tent}}

Noun

OSTENT (plural s or ostenta) (archaic, rare) A portent, a token. : (Dryden)

Etymology 3

From {{der, en, la, ostentus, , a display, exhibition, show}}, from ostendere, {{glossary, present}} {{glossary, active}} {{glossary, infinitive}} of ostendō, , to exhibit, show; see further at #etymology 1, etymology 1.{{R:OED Online, pos=n.{{sup, 2}}, noformat=yes, id=133104, date=September 2004}}

Pronunciation

(RP) /ɒˈstɛnt/ (GA) /ɑˈstɛnt/, /ə-/ {{hyphenation, en, os, tent}}

Noun

OSTENT (plural OSTENTs) (archaic, rare) A display#noun, display, an exhibition; an appearance, a manifestation. A boastful, ostentatious display#noun, display or exhibition.

Etymology 4

Noun

OSTENT (plural OSTENTs) (obsolete) A minute (60 seconds).

Usage notes

Distinguished in medieval times from the "minute" that was one tenth of an hour, or six modern minutes.

Anagrams

Teston, Tetons, Totnes, notest, teston