Category:Specious

Spe"cious, a. Etym: [l. speciosusgood-looking, beautiful, specious, Fr. species look, show, appearance; cf. F. spécoeux. 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.