ostentātĭo, ōnis, f. [ostento].
I In gen., a showing , exhibition , display (very rare). in armorum magis quam togarum ostentatione, Plin. Pan. 56 fin. : cognomen Imperiosi ... ab ostentatione saevitiae ascitum, from an open display , Liv. 7, 4.—
II In partic.
A An idle show , vain display , pomp , parade , ostentation (the predom. signif. of the word): vitanda etiam ingenii ostentationis suspicio, Cic. de Or. 2, 82, 333: magnifica et gloriosa, id. Fl. 22, 52: insolens, id. Par. 6, 1, 42: et gloria, id. Rab. Post. 14, 38: inanis et simulatio, id. Off. 2, 12, 43: et venditatio, id. Lael. 23, 86: sui, Caes. B. C. 1, 4.—In plur.: multorum annorum ostentationes meas nunc in discrimen esse adductas, that my many years’ boastful promises (of an able administration) are now brought to the test , Cic. Att. 5, 13, 1.—
B A false , deceitful show , pretence , simulation , deception : consul veritate, non ostentatione popularis, Cic. Agr. 1, 7, 23; cf.: ut in fronte ostentatio sit, intus veritas occultetur, id. Fin. 2, 24, 77: doloris, feigned pain , Sen. Ep. 99, 15: (captivi) producti ostentationis causā, Caes. B. C. 3, 71 fin. : qui latius ostentationis causā vagarentur, id. B. G. 7, 45.