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specious

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
spe·cious  (spshs)
adj.
1. Having the ring of truth or plausibility but actually fallacious: a specious argument.
2. Deceptively attractive.

[Middle English, attractive, from Latin specisus, from specis, appearance; see spek- in Indo-European roots.]

specious·ly adv.
speci·osi·ty (-sh-s-t), specious·ness (-shs-ns) n.

specious [ˈspiːʃəs]
adj
1. apparently correct or true, but actually wrong or false
2. deceptively attractive in appearance
[C14 (originally: fair): from Latin speciōsus plausible, from speciēs outward appearance, from specere to look at]
speciously  adv
speciousness  n
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.specious - plausible but false; "a specious claim"; "spurious inferences"
false - not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality; "gave false testimony under oath"; "false tales of bravery"
2.specious - based on pretense; deceptively pleasing; "the gilded and perfumed but inwardly rotten nobility"; "meretricious praise"; "a meretricious argument"
insincere - lacking sincerity; "a charming but thoroughly insincere woman"; "their praise was extravagant and insincere"

specious
adjective fallacious, misleading, deceptive, plausible, unsound, sophistic, sophistical, casuistic The Duke was not convinced by such specious arguments.
Translations
specious [ˈspiːʃəs] ADJespecioso
specious
adj argument, proposal, logicvordergründig bestechend; excusefadenscheinig; claimunfundiert, fadenscheinig; charm, phrasesleer; nonsensehohl
specious [ˈspiːʃəs] adj (frm) → specioso/a
specious [ˈspiːʃəs] adj (frm) → specioso/a


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
The Cat replied, "Although you abound in specious apologies, I shall not remain supperless"; and he made a meal of him.
Reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on them; and make trouble for them, and keep them constantly engaged; hold out specious allurements, and make them rush to any given point.
It was his fatal habit of self-depreciation that was making Claire's words so specious as he stood there trying to cast them from his mind.
 
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