semblance

 
Pronunciation: /ˈsɛmbləns/

noun

[mass noun]
  • the outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different: she tried to force her thoughts back into some semblance of order
  • archaic resemblance; similarity: it bears some semblance to the thing I have in mind

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French, from sembler 'seem', from Latin similare, simulare 'simulate'