Prima facie
adj, adv ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Apparently correct; not needing proof unless evidence to the contrary is shown. not-comparable
"We conclude that the single photon is somehow interacting with itself. And now we have prima facie evidence of the superposition of quantum particles, that they can exist in more than one place at the same time."
- 1 as it seems at first sight wordnet
- 1 At first sight; on the face of it.
"[…] 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."
- 1 at first sight wordnet
Example
More examples"[…] 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."
Etymology
From Latin prīmā (“first”) + faciē (“shape, figure”), literally “at the first appearance.”