Word of the Day: OSTENSIBLE

Apparently but maybe not actually

ostensible (adj) - seeming one way but possibly another; plausible but not necessarily true [o-sten-suh-buhl]

BREAKDOWN: OB- (in front of) + TENS- (stretch) + -IBLE (able to be)

• ostensibly means to all outward appearances; apparently or purportedly

See also: pretentious, tendentious, tenuous

“Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this invisible government, to befoul the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of the statesmanship of today.” —Theodore Roosevelt