semblance Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
    color; gloss; colour.
    • he hoped his claims would have a semblance of authenticity
    • he tried to give his falsehood the gloss of moral sanction
    • the situation soon took on a different color
  2. noun an erroneous mental representation
    illusion.
  3. noun picture consisting of a graphic image of a person or thing
    likeness.

WordNet

Sem"blance noun
Etymology
F. See Semblable, a.
Definitions
  1. Seeming; appearance; show; figure; form.
    Thier semblance kind, and mild their gestures were. Fairfax.
  2. Likeness; resemblance, actual or apparent; similitude; as, the semblance of worth; semblance of virtue.
    Only semblances or imitations of shells. Woodward.

Webster 1913