proper context of the word "apparently"

[bdog1250]

I am having a dispute with a friend over the use of the word apparently and was wondering if someone could provide some insight into this matter. An article stated the following: "... the snake apparently swallowed the alligator..."

Webster's dictionary definition #2 defines the word apparently as "Unmistakable"

It also defines the word as "appearing as actual" and "manifest to the senses or mind as real or true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be factually valid"

These seem to me as vastly different definitions to the word apparently. How do you apply the definition in this situation?

My friend contends that this must be an undisputable (or unmistakable) fact. I believe that we can presume it is true, but cannot prove with 100% certainty that is indeed what actually happened. Who is right?

[Temico]

I am having a dispute with a friend over the use of the word apparently and was wondering if someone could provide some insight into this matter. An article stated the following: "... the snake apparently swallowed the alligator..."

Webster's dictionary definition #2 defines the word apparently as "Unmistakable"

It also defines the word as "appearing as actual" and "manifest to the senses or mind as real or true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be factually valid"

These seem to me as vastly different definitions to the word apparently. How do you apply the definition in this situation?

My friend contends that this must be an undisputable (or unmistakable) fact. I believe that we can presume it is true, but cannot prove with 100% certainty that is indeed what actually happened. Who is right?

You are right. "... the snake apparently swallowed the alligator..." = "... the snake appears to have swallowed the alligator..."

In the following example,
"They are kissing each other tenderly. They are lovers, apparently."
......"apparently" = "unmistakably"