What is "speciousness"

Specious \Spe"cious\, a. [L. speciosusgood-looking, beautiful, specious, fr. species look, show, appearance; cf. F. sp['e]coeux. 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. [1913 Webster] -- Spe"xious*ly, adv. -- Spe"cious*ness, n.

n. 1 (context uncountable English) The state or quality of being specious. 2 (context countable rare English) The result or product of being specious.

n. an appearance of truth that is false or deceptive; seeming plausibility; "the speciousness of his argument" [syn: meretriciousness]