\Ap*par"ent\, a. [F. apparent, L. apparens, -entis, p.
pr. of apparere. See {Appear}.]
1. Capable of being seen, or easily seen; open to view;
   visible to the eye; within sight or view.
         The moon . . . apparent queen.        --Milton.
2. Clear or manifest to the understanding; plain; evident;
   obvious; known; palpable; indubitable.
         It is apparent foul play.             --Shak.
3. Appearing to the eye or mind (distinguished from, but not
   necessarily opposed to, true or real); seeming; as the
   apparent motion or diameter of the sun.
         To live on terms of civility, and even of apparent
         friendship.                           --Macaulay.
         What Berkeley calls visible magnitude was by
         astronomers called apparent magnitude. --Reid.
{Apparent horizon}, the circle which in a level plain bounds
   our view, and is formed by the apparent meeting of the
   earth and heavens, as distinguished from the rational
   horizon.
{Apparent time}. See {Time}.
{Heir apparent} (Law), one whose to an estate is indefeasible
   if he survives the ancestor; -- in distinction from
   presumptive heir. See {Presumptive}.
Syn: Visible; distinct; plain; obvious; clear; certain;
     evident; manifest; indubitable; notorious.

\Ap*par"ent\, n.
An heir apparent. [Obs.]
      I'll draw it [the sword] as apparent to the crown.
                                               --Shak.