I. -nt adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin evident-, evidens, from e- + vident-, videns, present participle of vidēre to see — more at wit
1.
a. : capable of being perceived especially by sight : distinctly visible : being in evidence : discernible
nature in England, slow and evident in its process, mild in its changes — Francis Hackett
quaint ways are still evident in these moneymaking times — F.H.Eliot
there is no evident impairment of the organs
an evident erasure in the manuscript
a considerable amount of placer mining is still evident — American Guide Series: Oregon
b. : clear to the understanding : obvious , manifest , apparent
his leadership qualities soon became evident
rose with the evident intention of leaving the room
— often used with impersonal it
it is evident that we do not understand each other
2. obsolete : convincing , conclusive
Synonyms:
apparent , patent , manifest , plain , clear , distinct , obvious , palpable , along with evident , are often interchangeable without much variation in meaning, implication, or suggestion; any of these words could be substituted for evident in the sentence “at this point my opponent's disregard for truth becomes evident”. Since evident rather naturally suggests evidence, it may imply the existence of signs and indications that must lead to an identification or inference
it is abundantly evident that American citizens everywhere are demanding and supporting speedy and complete action — F.D.Roosevelt
apparent may occasionally suggest a longer period of observation or reasoning
as experience accumulated it gradually became apparent that the oils of any of the trees … were equally efficacious — V.G.Heiser
a few years ago this inconsistency became apparent to some — C.H.Grandgent
patent may stress ease of sight and lack of any obscuring or concealing factor
to compress and define a character or story and make it patent at a glance, within the narrow scope attainable by sculpture — Nathaniel Hawthorne
in Roosevelt's case the imposture is less patent; he died before it was fully unmasked — H.L.Mencken
manifest may add to patent suggestions or very open showing or exhibiting and may suggest a shade of purposefulness while patent stresses only the fact of openness
the manifest will of the king to free himself from parliamentary control estranged the Lower House — J.R.Green
his May devotions were so largely attended, especially by the young people of the parish, in whom a notable increase of piety was manifest — Willa Cather
plain may connote an ease in perception through absence of confusing adventitious matter
in the unlikely event of any European at all being familiar with the “full inside story” … it would be his plain duty to make his facts known to the police — Times Literary Supplement
clear may suggest easy and assured perception with sharp definiteness and evident certainty
a principle of science based on proof as sharp and clear as anything which is known — K.K.Darrow
until our flow of supplies gives us clear superiority we must keep on striking our enemies — F.D.Roosevelt
distinct stresses sharpness of outline, delineation, or definition, and hence unmistakable impression
those shapes distinct that yet survive insculptured on the walls of palaces — William Wordsworth
obvious , often contrasted with subtle, stresses ease of perception or interpretation or, more strongly, inevitability of notice
axioms so familiar to us that they seem obvious truths — Havelock Ellis
new mechanical and electrical devices … automobiles, electric refrigerators, and radios, to mention the most obvious examples — J.B.Conant
palpable , in other uses a synonym for tangible, may suggest the ease and inevitability of perception associated with solid masses
the least provident of barbaric despots may raise a massive pile of buildings because it is the most palpable proof of his present wealth and power — Alfred Marshall
With these words general similarity of meaning is more noteworthy than occasional differences in connotation.
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English (Scots dialect), from evident, adjective
archaic : a thing that serves as evidence