\Os"tent\, n. [L. ostentus, ostentum, fr. ostendere (p. p. ostensus and ostentus) to show. See {Ostensible}.] 1. Appearance; air; mien. --Shak. 2. Manifestation; token; portent. --Dryden. We asked of God that some ostent might clear Our cloudy business, who gave us sign. --Chapman.