Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.
SPECIOUSLY
speciously
(adverb) in a specious manner
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adverb
speciously (comparative more speciously, superlative most speciously)
In a specious manner; fallaciously, erroneously.
Source: Wiktionary
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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
21 January 2025
TRACE
(verb) follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something; “We must follow closely the economic development is Cuba”; “trace the student’s progress”; “trace one’s ancestry”
Coffee Trivia
