The phrase "appears to define" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that seems to provide a definition or explanation of a concept or term.
Example: "The research findings appear to define the relationship between diet and health outcomes."
Alternatives: "seems to describe" or "looks to clarify".
This is where the need appears to define on "old folk".
However, the administration appears to define "working together" as giving Russia the opportunity to adopt American positions and implement American policies without any meaningful input — which alienates the Kremlin.
The commercial firm appears to define the dominant and established norm in the world of contemporary business.
There's even an unfriendly term in German that, although rarely spoken openly, appears to define the societal perspective on working mothers and the stigma attached to leaving young children in child care: "Rabenmutter," which translates as "cruel mother".
But it also appears to define the controversial work of a Chinese research team as acceptable.
First she appears to define pro-Israel in such a hawkish manner that a sizeable majority of Jewish Israelis, nearly all the Jews in the Congress and almost all American Jews would have to be defined as anti-Israel.
Furthermore, their RTs appear to define their mode of functional antagonism, i.e. surmountable vs. insurmountable.
The free-spirited unorthodoxy that appeared to define Ms. Tuttle's life was in place early on.
The paper explains the systems paradigm further highlighting areas and methods that appear to define open problems in research.
The CFO's actions and expectations in these 'shadow' negotiations appear to define the auditor's role and the relationship's parameters, but both can evolve over time.
Bombing without an effective Iraqi army is to risk operational stalemate on the ground and a fixing of the front lines, both of which appear to define the course that we have set ourselves.
