prima facie [ˈpraɪmə ˈfeɪʃi] adv. phr.
1.) At first sight; on the face of it; as appears at first without investigation (O.E.D. 2nd Ed.).
Etymology: Middle English (where it meant 'manifestly'), from Latin prima facie: prima, feminine ablative of primus, first + facie, ablative of facies, shape, face.
"Why did the Marxian analysis of the commodity-form—which, prima facie, concerns a purely economic question—exert such an influence in the general field of social sciences; why has it fascinated generations of philosophers, sociologists, art historians, and others?" (The Sublime Object of Ideology, Slavoj Zizek, 1989).
30 comments:
Interesting description, thank you!
Have a nice day.
I do like using this phrase. I feel fancy.
the word sounds much better in Latin pronunciation than in English :)
Another funny-sounding word to entertain me for the rest of the day! :P
PS. I tried looking up those Westboro documentaries you recommended, but could not find them on Netflix or at my library. I guess I should just try youtube...?
"The wife and I were love prima facie."
Just doesn't quite have the same ring to it...
This is another one I read, comprehend, and see all of the time but never really knew how to say right... I'm still not sure I can even with the audio... I need help haha
random I know but that sounds like a delicious italian meal. lol.
at first sight this seemed like it was going to be very confusing. I am happy to say I was wrong.
I love it because it sounds like something my 2 year old cousin would say. And I would never guess it was a word.
I love the painting so much detail!
impressed
you should rename your blog...
"enthralling words abortive to modern american society"
seriously just kidding... i like your blog, i generally feel smarter after reading it!
Another that I was somewhat familiar with but I find myself interested in the etymology this time. My Latin skills are lacking but this was really interesting.
very nice
i wonder if it's the same usage of Prima from Prima Donna , just "facie"...* the prima facie of that architecture stayed in my mind..
I plan on working this into a conversation over this weekend....confuse the fuck out of my friends!
okay sick, im defo taking this one down the pub with me.
Use of Prima facie always implies that there is some doubt about the subject, doesn't it? Even if it is only slight doubt.
great description!! :D how are u mr?
xx
www.sickbytrend.com
see, what i said was the joke...
then on a more serious note, i was just kidding... im sorry if i offended you in any way, i was just trying to make you smile.... if i didnt like your blog i wouldent read it....<3
interesting word.
Also, nice profile picture. You pretty much disprove the theory that intelligent people (nerds) aren't attractive. ;)
I've been saying it wrong for years!! Damn!
Cool word, definitely never heard it before.
didn't know about that movie, i had to google it to know what the hell what it was all about! i even check on youtube to watch the Ohio - however with no luck!
this word is so funny! do you british really pronounce it that way?!
jos xx
Hmm, I want to start using this!
You mostly post pre-20th century art with these posts, (except I think you posted that famous Picasso one that's handing in the Moma but i'm not sure.) Do you not like modern art?
I agree on most part of this, well written :)
oh c'mon, does this really mean that , or is it a nice way to say you're a monkey face ?
seems like a word I could actually use
This is a standard phrase in legalese. Lawyers use it all the time and, before the plain language movement, it was common in legislation too. I've heard it pronounced several different ways, including PRIME-ah FACE-ee and PRIM-ah FATCH-ee. But have never heard "facie" pronounced the way your little sound bite does!
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