I.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.
