[f. SPECIOUS a.]
1. The quality of being speciously attractive, plausible, etc.
1648. J. Beaumont, Psyche, XX. cclxxi. (1702), 312.
| Never could She find leisure to attend | |
| On ceremonious Idelness, nor by | |
| The civil speciousness of Visits spend | |
| Her precious Time on courteous Vanity. |
1663. S. Patrick, Parab. Pilgrim, xviii. (1687), 174. With much speciousness, and very fair shews of faithful counsel will all this be represented.
1753. Johnson, Adventurer, No. 45, ¶ 1. The numberless projects that have flattered mankind with theoretical speciousness.
1797. Phil. Trans., LXXXVII. 181. These objections have at least speciousness to recommend them to our notice.
1824. De Quincey, Idea Univ. Hist., Wks. 1859, XIII. 146. All good, that is not engrafted upon moral good, is mere show and hollow speciousness.
1885. J. Payn, Talk of Town, II. 229. The calmness of this reasoning appalled Margaret even more by its speciousness than by its falseness.
† 2. Fair or elegant appearance. Obs.
1650. Fuller, Pisgah, IV. vi. 11. The quickness, speciousness, cheapness, and novelty of the work; not the state, riches, and curiosity thereof.
1731. [see SPECIOSITY 1].
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., III. xxiii. 227. Elegance and Speciousness.
