Sembianze

Sembianze is a Italian noun that denotes outward appearance or semblance. It can refer to the observable features of a person or object, or to the overall impression something conveys. The term often implies that the appearance may not reflect the true nature of what is being described, highlighting a superficial or surface-level aspect.

The singular form is sembianza, and the plural is sembianze. The word derives from the verb sembrare, meaning "to seem," combined with the noun-forming suffix -anza to express the quality of appearing. It is widely used in literary, philosophical, and formal contexts, and is commonly contrasted with realtà or essenza to discuss appearance versus reality.

Sembianze can denote both tangible exterior aspects (as in le sembianze di una persona) and figurative contexts (the sembianze of a situation or hypothesis). The nuance can range from neutral description to a critical note about deception or partial truth, depending on how it is employed. In literature and rhetoric, the term is often used to describe how a character, scene, or argument presents itself to observers, sometimes masking underlying motives or complexities.

See also: Apparenza; Aspetto; Illusione.