Well shit. I never knew what "ostensibly" meant. I thought it was a direct equivalent to the French "ostensiblement". And apparently so does Google Translate.

Except that the definition of "ostensiblement" is "Not hidden, done with the intention to be seen". Which is not at all the English meaning. So now I wonder what's an accurate English translation for "ostensiblement"...

[–] Rodeo@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 year ago

"Not hidden, done with the intention to be seen". Which is not at all the English meaning.

It sort of fits the English definition, because it's often used in the context of deception: a person could ostensibly think one thing but actually believe another. The thing they ostensibly think is the thing they intend to be seen, while their true feelings remain hidden.