Lexic.us

Definition of Specious

1. Adjective. Plausible but false. "Spurious inferences"

2. Adjective. Based on pretense; deceptively pleasing. "A meretricious argument"

Definition of Specious

1. a. Presenting a pleasing appearance; pleasing in form or look; showy.

Definition of Specious

1. Adjective. Seemingly well-reasoned or factual, but actually fallacious or insincere; strongly held but false. ¹

2. Adjective. Having an attractive appearance intended to generate a favorable response; deceptively attractive. ¹

3. Adjective. (obsolete) Beautiful, pleasing to look at. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Specious

1. having a false look of truth or authenticity [adj]

Medical Definition of Specious

1. 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) Synonym: Plausible, showy, ostensible, colourable, feasible. See Plausible. Spe"xiously, Spe"ciousness. Origin: L. Speciosusgood-looking, beautiful, specious, fr. Species look, show, appearance; cf. F. Specoeux. See Species. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Specious

specimen charge specimen contamination specimen distortion specimen handling specimen holder specimen interaction specimen interaction volume 0 specimen screen specimen stage

specimens specimina speciose speciosities speciosity specious (current term) specious argument speciously speciousness speciousnesses

specism specist specists speck speck finger specked speckier speckiest speckiness specking

Literary usage of Specious

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Church History of Britain: From the Birth of Jesus Christ Until the Year by Thomas Fuller, John Sherren Brewer (1845)
"Maud her behalf; under which specious title he bar- ... Recusancy in this kind had but armed king Stephen with a specious pretence to take all from them for ..."

2. The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. by James Boswell (1826)
"... I should echo the sentiments of men of the first taste loudly in its praise: When specious sophists with presumption scan The source of evil, ..."

3. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon (1887)
"... his religious opinions were nev«-r affected by the specious texts, the subtle arguments, and the ambiguous creeds of the Arian doctors. ..."

4. The Works of the English Poets, from Chaucer to Cowper: Including the Series by Alexander Chalmers, Samuel Johnson (1810)
"ON specious AND SUPERFICIAL WRITERS. How rare the case, tho' common the pretence, To write on subjects from' a real sense ! Т is many n celebrated author's ..."

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