The definition of prima facie refers to the way something looks on its face, or at first glance.
(adjective)An example of prima facie is when a wife walks in on her husband with another woman; at first glance, it looks as if he is guilty of something just because of the circumstances.
Prima facie is defined as something that has been proven or assumed to be true unless there is evidence presented to the contrary.
(adjective)An example of prima face is when a plaintiff in a discrimination case shows that a pre-employment test has a unfair impact on minorities. This can be said to be a prima face case of discrimination unless the employer can then prove that the test is legitimate for work related purposes.
See prima facie in Webster's New World College Dictionary
Origin: L
See prima facie in American Heritage Dictionary 4
adverb
Origin:
Origin: Middle English, manifestly
Origin: , from Latin prīmā faciē
Origin: : prīmā
Origin: , feminine ablative of prīmus, first
Origin: + faciē
Origin: , ablative of faciēs, shape, face
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