I. ˈvizəbəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French visible, from Latin visibilis, from visus (past participle of vidēre to see) + -ibilis -ible — more at wit
1.
a. : capable of being seen : perceptible by vision
visible light
a visible object
a clearly visible stain
a ship barely visible on the horizon
a cupola visible at night for miles — American Guide Series: Minnesota
b. : seen on earth : temporal
the visible church
— compare church visible
c. : seen above ground : not subterranean
lagoons with no visible outlets
d. : tangibly present : available
the total of visible wheat as of this date
e. : of or relating to tangible exports and imports
the visible items in the balance of payments
f. : easily seen : impressive to the view
colored slides … are both highly visible and dramatic — J.K.Blake
g. : conspicuous
his highly visible neckties — Robert Rice
h. : possessing cultural visibility
dietary habits may make the foreigner highly visible in American culture
2. : capable of being perceived mentally : discoverable , recognizable
serves no visible purpose
had no visible means of support
the visible facts of a man's environment — H.O.Taylor
employees look for … a visible path for advancement — A.S.Igleheart
3. : willing to receive visitors
was visible only to her most intimate friends
4. : devised in such a way that a particular part or a record made is always in full view or can be readily seen or referred to
a visible index
a visible ledger
II. noun
( -s )
1. : something visible
preference for visibles … in teaching — I.A.Richards
specifically : the wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation that is perceptible to the human eye — used with the ; see light 1c
2. : a biological mutation determinable by inspection — compare lethal 2a