- Speciousness
- 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.
[1913 Webster]
Some [serpents] specious and beautiful to the eye. --Bp. Richardson. [1913 Webster]
The rest, far greater part, Will deem in outward rites and specious forms Religion satisfied. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
Misled for a moment by the specious names of religion, liberty, and property. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
In consequence of their greater command of specious expression. --J. Morley. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Plausible; showy; ostensible; colorable; feasible. See {Plausible}. [1913 Webster] -- {Spe"xious*ly}, adv. -- {Spe"cious*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.