OSTENSIBLY

apparently, seemingly, ostensibly, on the face of it

(adverb) from appearances alone; “irrigation often produces bumper crops from apparently desert land”; “the child is seemingly healthy but the doctor is concerned”; “had been ostensibly frank as to his purpose while really concealing it”-Thomas Hardy; “on the face of it the problem seems minor”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adverb

ostensibly (not comparable)

(modal) Seemingly, apparently, on the surface.

Synonyms: apparently, arguably, at first blush, seemingly, Thesaurus:ostensibly

Source: Wiktionary

Os*ten"si*bly, adv.

Definition: In an ostensible manner; avowedly; professedly; apparently. Walsh. Ostensibly, we were intended to prevent filibustering into Texas, but really as a menace to Mexico. U. S. Grant.

OSTENSIBLE

Os*ten"si*ble, a. Etym: [From L. ostensus, p. p. of ostendere to show, prop., to stretch out before; fr. prefix obs- (old form of ob-) + tendere to stretch. See Tend.]

1. Capable of being shown; proper or intended to be shown. [R.] Walpole.

2. Shown; exhibited; declared; avowed; professed; apparent; -- often used as opposed to real or actual; as, an ostensible reason, motive, or aim. D. Ramsay.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition