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



RESET




Word of the Day

6 November 2024

SEARCHINGLY

(adverb) in a searching manner; “‘Are you really happy with him,’ asked her mother, gazing at Vera searchingly”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

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.

coffee icon