noun
- pretentious or conspicuous show, as of wealth or importance; display intended to impress others.
- Archaic. the act of showing or exhibiting; display.
noun
- pretentious, showy, or vulgar display
n.mid-15c., from Old French ostentacion (mid-14c.) and directly from Latin ostentationem (nominative ostentatio) “showing, exhibition, vain display,” noun of action from past participle stem of ostentare “to display,” frequentative of ostendere “to show” (see ostensible).