Spe"cious (?), a. [L. speciosusgood-looking, beautiful, specious, fr. species look, show, appearance; cf. F. sp'ecoeux. 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.
© Webster 1913.