Lat The face or countenance; the exterlor appearance or view; hence, con-templatlon or study of a thlng on lts external or apparent slde. Thus, prima facie menus at the first lnspection, on a preUmlnary or exterlor scrutiny, when we speak of a “prima facie case,” we mean one whlch, on lts own showlng, on a first examlnatlon, or wlthout investlgatlng any alleged defenses, is apparently good and maintalnable
Source: Black’s Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)
