Category:Plausible

Plau"si*ble, a. Etym: [l. plausibilis praiseworthy, from plaudere, Plausum, to applaud, clap the hands, strike, beat.]

1. Worthy of being applauded; praiseworthy; commendable; ready. [obs.] Bp. Hacket.

2. Obtaining approbation; specifically pleasing; apparently right; Specious; as, a plausible pretext; plausible manners; a plausible Delusion. "plausible and popular arguments." Clarendon.

3. Using specious arguments or discourse; as, a plausible speaker.

Syn. -- plausible, specious. Plausible denotes that which seems Reasonable, yet leaves distrust in the judgment. Specious describes That which presents a fair appearance to the view and yet covers Something false. Specious refers more definitely to the act or Purpose of false representation; plausible has more reference to the Effect on the beholder or hearer. An argument may by specious when it Is not plausible because its sophistry is so easily discovered.