Late 16th century; earliest use found in John Foxe (?1517–1587), martyrologist. From Middle French ostente prodigy and its etymon classical Latin ostentum a portent, prodigy, wonder, use as noun of neuter past participle of ostendere.
Definition of ostent in US English:
ostent
nounˈɒstɛnt
rare, archaic
A portent or sign; a wonder, a prodigy.
Origin
Late 16th century; earliest use found in John Foxe (?1517–1587), martyrologist. From Middle French ostente prodigy and its etymon classical Latin ostentum a portent, prodigy, wonder, use as noun of neuter past participle of ostendere.