We asked of God that some ostent might clear Our cloudy business,
who gave us sign.
Chapman.
Os"ten*tate (?), v. t. [L. ostentatus, p. p. of ostentare, v. intens.
fr. ostendere. See Ostent.] To make an ambitious display of; to show or
exhibit boastingly. [R.] Jer. Taylor.
Os`ten*ta"tion (?), n. [L. ostentatio: cf. F. ostentation.] 1. The act
of ostentating or of making an ambitious display; unnecessary show;
pretentious parade; -- usually in a detractive sense. "Much ostentation
vain of fleshly arm." Milton.
He knew that good and bountiful minds were sometimes inclined to
ostentation.
Atterbury.