Definition of the word semblance

The origin of the word "semblance" can be traced back to the Old French word "sembance" which meant "similarity" or "likeness". The French word, in turn, was derived from the Latin word "similitatem" which meant "similarity" or "resemblance". In Middle English, the word "similance" was used interchangeably with "semblance" to mean "similarity" or "likeness". However, over time, the meaning of the word "similance" evolved to specifically refer to a concept in logic and metaphysics, while "semblance" came to mean more generally something that appears similar or like something else, but may not actually be exactly the same. The earliest recorded use of the word "semblance" in English dates back to the 14th century, in the form of the Middle English word "semelance". By the 15th century, the modern spelling of the word "semblance" had become established in English, and its meaning continued to evolve, as it came to be more closely associated with the concept of apparent resemblance, rather than exact similarity. So, in summary, the word "semblance" originated in Old French as a French derivative of the Latin word "similitatem", and has evolved over time to mean a quality or state of appearing similar or like something else.