Spu"ri*ous (?), a. [L. spurius.]
1.
Not proceeding from the true source, or from the source pretended; not genuine; false; adulterate.
2.
Not legitimate; bastard; as, spurious issue.
"Her
spurious firstborn."
Milton.
Spurious primary, ∨ Spurious quill Zool., the first, or outer, primary quill when rudimentary or much reduced in size, as in certain singing birds. -- Spurious wing Zool., the bastard wing, or alula.
Syn. -- Counterfeit; false; adulterate; supposititious; fictitious; bastard.
-- Spu"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Spu"ri*ous*ness, n.
© Webster 1913.