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What is "spurious quill"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
Spurious quill

Spurious \Spu"ri*ous\ (sp[=u]"r[i^]*[u^]s), a. [L. spurius.]

  1. Not proceeding from the true source, or from the source pretended; not genuine; counterfeit; false; adulterate.

  2. Not legitimate; bastard; as, spurious issue. ``Her spurious firstborn.''
    --Milton.

    Spurious primary, or Spurious quill (Zo["o]l.), the first, or outer, primary quill when rudimentary or much reduced in size, as in certain singing birds.

    Spurious wing (Zo["o]l.), the bastard wing, or alula.

    Syn: Counterfeit; false; adulterate; supposititious; fictitious; bastard. [1913 Webster] -- Spu"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Spu"ri*ous*ness, n.