prima facie

Definition

At first sight; on the face of it.

Etymology

From Latin prīmā (“first”) + faciē (“shape, figure”), literally “at the first appearance.”

Example Sentences

• "[…] the nicest young man that ever was, — daintily gloved, patently booted, oilily curled, snowily wristbanded, with a lovely cambric (prima facie) handkerchief bound about his hyacinthine locks and polished hat."
• "Prima facie this may not read like a true story."