Definitions for: Specious


[adj] based on pretense; deceptively pleasing; "the gilded and perfumed but inwardly rotten nobility"; "meretricious praise"; "a meretricious argument"
[adj] plausible but false; "a specious claim"
[adj] plausible but false; "specious reasoning"; "the spurious inferences from obsolescent notions of causality"- Ethel Albert



Webster (1913) Definition: Spe"cious, a. [L. speciosusgood-looking, beautiful,
specious, fr. species look, show, appearance; cf. F.
sp['e]coeux. See Species.]
1. Presenting a pleasing appearance; pleasing in form or
look; showy.

Some [serpents] specious and beautiful to the eye.
--Bp.
Richardson.

The rest, far greater part, Will deem in outward
rites and specious forms Religion satisfied.
--Milton.

2. Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct,
but not so in reality; appearing well at first view;
plausible; as, specious reasoning; a specious argument.

Misled for a moment by the specious names of
religion, liberty, and property. --Macaulay.

In consequence of their greater command of specious
expression. --J. Morley.

Syn: Plausible; showy; ostensible; colorable; feasible. See
Plausible. -- Spe"xious*ly, adv. --
Spe"cious*ness, n.

Synonyms: false, gilded, insincere, invalid, meretricious, spurious

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