ostento, āvi, ātum (inf. pass. ostentarier, Plaut. Most. 1, 3, 129), 1, v. freq. a. [ostendo], to present to view, to show, exhibit (class.).
I In gen.: alicui jugula sua pro capite alicujus, to present , offer , Cic. Att. 1, 16, 4: aliquem, Verg. A. 12, 479: campos nitentes, id. ib. 6, 678: Sidonias opes, id. ib. 4, 75: passum capillum, Caes. B. G. 7, 48: liberos, Suet. Aug. 34: quo res sapsa loco sese ostentat, Enn. ap. Fest. p. 325 Müll. (Ann. v. 372 Vahl.).—
II In partic.
A To show off with vanity or boastfulness, to display , make a display of , boast of , vaunt : amorem tibi meum, Cic. Fam. 10, 3, 4: quid me ostentem, why should I make a display of myself? id. ib. 1, 4, 3: et prae se ferre, id. Att. 2, 23, 3: memoriae ostentandae causā, Auct. Her. 2, 30, 47: clientelas, Dolabell. ap. Cic. Fam. 9, 9, 2: triumphos suos, Sall. J. 31, 10: eum ipsum aliis, id. ib. 49, 4: se in aliis rebus, to exhibit themselves , Cic. Cael. 28, 67: Ambiorigem ostentant fidei faciundae causā, Caes. B. G. 5, 41.—
B To hold out or up as an example: desine Tydiden vultuque et murmure nobis Ostentare, Ov. M. 13, 350.—
C To hold out for the purpose of offering or giving; to proffer , promise : alterā manu fert lapidem, panem ostentat alterā, Plaut. Aul. 2, 2, 18: agrum, Cic. Agr. 2, 28, 78: praemia, Sall. J. 66, 1; 89, 1; cf.: praemia modo, modo formidinem, id. ib. 23, 1: praedam, id. ib. 68, 3.—
D To hold out in a threatening manner; to threaten , menace : caedem, servitutem, Cic. Fam. 4, 14, 1: periculum capitis, id. Clu. 8, 25: minas, Liv. 2, 42.—
E To show by speech or signs; to indicate , point out , signify , reveal , disclose : (largitio) verbis ostentari potest, re verā fieri, nisi exhausto aerario, nullo pacto potest, Cic. Agr. 2, 4, 18: tibi me istis esse familiarem, id. Fam. 9, 6, 2: principem, to reveal , Plin. Pan. 4, 7.—With rel.-clause : ostentans, quanta eos... invidia maneret showing , declaring , Suet. Caes. 14.