Meretriciously

Meretriciously
Meretricious Mer`e*tri"cious, a. [L. meretricius, from meretrix, -icis, a prostitute, lit., one who earns money, i. e., by prostitution, fr. merere to earn, gain. See {Merit}.] 1. Of or pertaining to prostitutes; having to do with harlots; lustful; as, meretricious traffic. [1913 Webster]

2. Resembling the arts of a harlot; alluring by false show; gaudily and deceitfully ornamental; tawdry; as, meretricious dress or ornaments. [1913 Webster]

3. Deceptive or based on deception; seeming plausible, but based on pretense or insincerity; deceptive; misleading; insincere; specious; as, meretricious arguments. [PJC] -- {Mer`e*tri"cious*ly}, adv. -- {Mer`e*tri"cious*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • meretriciously — adverb in a meretricious manner the boat is meretriciously decorated • Syn: ↑flashily • Derived from adjective: ↑flashy (for: ↑flashily), ↑meretricious * * * ad …   Useful english dictionary

  • meretriciously — adverb see meretricious …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • meretriciously — See meretricious. * * * …   Universalium

  • meretriciously — adverb In a meretricious manner …   Wiktionary

  • meretriciously — merɪ trɪʃəslɪ adv. in a wanton or lewd manner, in a cheap and loud manner; with vulgarity; deceptively …   English contemporary dictionary

  • meretriciously — mer·e·tri·cious·ly …   English syllables

  • meretriciously — See: meretricious …   English dictionary

  • meretricious — meretriciously, adv. meretriciousness, n. /mer i trish euhs/, adj. 1. alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions; tawdry. 2. based on pretense, deception, or insincerity. 3. pertaining to or characteristic of a prostitute. [1620 30; < L… …   Universalium

  • flashily — adverb 1. in a meretricious manner the boat is meretriciously decorated • Syn: ↑meretriciously • Derived from adjective: ↑flashy, ↑meretricious (for: ↑meretriciously) 2 …   Useful english dictionary

  • meretricious — adjective Etymology: Latin meretricius, from meretric , meretrix prostitute, from merēre to earn more at merit Date: 1626 1. of or relating to a prostitute ; having the nature of prostitution < meretricious relationships > 2. a. tawdrily and… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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