prima facie

Prima facie literally means “at first sight,” but it can also mean self-evident or obvious. If it’s prima facie, it appears to be true.

You’ve most likely used the expression at first sight, but now you can say it in Latin. Of course, if you’ve been to law school, you probably could have already, as prima facie is used for evidence that is accepted unless proved false. Without prima facie evidence, you probably don't have a case, or it's going to be pretty hard to make one. You can disprove information that’s prima facie, but it won't be easy.

Definitions of prima facie

1. adjective

   as it seems at first sight
   “a prima facie case of murder”

   synonyms:

   clear

   readily apparent to the mind
2. adverb

   at first sight