[f. prec.]
† 1. So as to present a fair or respectable appearance. Obs.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., II. § 39. Lashly had placed them by the advantage of that hill so speciously that they had the appearance of a good body of men.
a. 1677. Barrow, Serm., iv. Wks. 1687, I. 46. To these considerations may be added, that we are commanded to walk εὐσχημόνως (decently, or speciously, which implies a regard to mens opinion).
1698. Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 396. To grow Rich, be saluted with Honour, appear magnificently, be accounted Noble and speciously Great,… they will venture on any Evil Enterprize.
2. In a specious manner; attractively or plausibly, but deceptively or fallaciously.
1647. Clarendon, Contempl. Ps., Tracts (1727), 405. There can be little said for the defence of the one, which may not be as speciously offered … for the defence of the other.
1699. Burnet, 39 Art., xxii. 234. Contrary … to the Worshipping of Images of all sorts, how speciously soever they may be disguised.
1734. trans. Rollin’s Anc. Hist. (1827), II. II. 63. Other motives were speciously intended.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., xix. II. 143. Exasperated, as he might speciously allege, by injuries of a similar nature [etc.].
1800. Colquhoun, Comm. Thames, viii. 261. It has been argued speciously, that Docks will supersede the necessity of a Police.
1872. J. L. Sanford, Estim. Eng. Kings, Jas. I., 323. The poverty of his exchequer, to which his policy of abstinence from war has been sometimes speciously attributed.
