Spe·cious a.
 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.
 -- Spe*xious*ly adv. -- Spe*cious*ness, n.
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 speciousness
      n : an appearance of truth that is false or deceptive; seeming
          plausibility; "the speciousness of his argument" [syn: meretriciousness]