Con*spic"u*ous (?), a. [L. conspicuus, fr. conspicere to get sight of, to perceive; con- + spicere, specere, to look. See Spy] 1. Open to the view; obvious to the eye; easy to be seen; plainly visible; manifest; attracting the eye.

It was a rock
Of alabaster, piled up to the clouds,
Conspicious far.
Milton.

Conspicious by her veil and hood,
Signing the cross, the abbess stood.
Sir W. Scott.

2. Obvious to the mental eye; easily recognized; clearly defined; notable; prominent; eminent; distinguished; as, a conspicuous excellence, or fault.

A man who holds a conspicuous place in the political, ecclesiastical, and literary history of England.
Macaulay.

Syn. -- Distinguished; eminent; famous; illustrious; prominent; celebrated. See Distinguished.

-- Con*spic"u*ous*ly, adv. -- Con*spic"u*ous*ness, n.

• obvious or easy to notice
       
• He was conspicuous by his absence
  
• noticeable or attracting attention, especially if unattractive
       
• He had a conspicuous lump on his forehead