I. ˌprī-mə-ˈfā-shə, -shē, -sē also -shē-ˌē, -sē-ˌē adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin
Date: 15th century
: at first view : on the first appearance
II. adjective
Date: 1800
1. : true, valid, or sufficient at first impression : apparent
the theory…gives a prima facie solution — R. J. Butler
2. : self-evident
3. : legally sufficient to establish a fact or a case unless disproved
prima facie evidence