2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Specious \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.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
specious
adj 1: plausible but false; "specious reasoning"; "the spurious
inferences from obsolescent notions of causality"-
Ethel Albert [syn: {spurious}]
2: plausible but false; "a specious claim"
3: based on pretense; deceptively pleasing; "the gilded and
perfumed but inwardly rotten nobility"; "meretricious
praise"; "a meretricious argument" [syn: {gilded}, {meretricious}]
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