Etymology
The word "specious" has Latin roots, deriving from the following:
Meaning and Origin
Meaning
"Specious" primarily means "apparently true or valid but actually false or misleading." It refers to something that seems plausible or reasonable on the surface but is actually fallacious or deceptive.
Origin
The concept of speciousness can be traced back to ancient Greek philosophy. Plato used the term "eikasia" to describe the lowest form of knowledge, based on mere appearances and sensory perceptions. This idea was later adopted by Aristotle, who coined the term "phantasia" for a similar concept.
In the 16th century, the Latin word "speciōsus" was introduced into English to describe something that appears fair or attractive but is actually deceptive. The word has retained this meaning ever since.
Usage
"Specious" is commonly used to describe:
Etymology is the study of the origin of words their history and how their meanings have
Etymology The word spice comes from the Old French word espice which in turn comes f
Etymology Aspect comes from the Latin word aspectus which means a look or a view
Etymology Latin auspex auspicis Meaning A person who practices augury the ancie
Etymology Latin auspicium from avis bird spěcio look at Meaning and Orig
Etymology Latin auspicium Derived from auspicium auspex augur icium actio
Etymology From Middle English bischop from Old English biscop from Frankish biskups
Etymology Latin circumspectus past participle of circumspicere to look around Cir
Etymology Conspicuous originates from the Latin word conspicuus which means visible
Etymology Episc Greek Over upon or above Op Greek Face view aspect al Latin
Etymology The Spanish term especial derives from the Latin word specialis which mea
Etymology French espionnage spying espionage Late Latin exspionare to track fi
Etymology The word espy comes from the Old French word espier which means to watch
Etymology Middle English expecten from Anglo Norman French expecten from Latin exspe
Etymology The word frontispiece originates from the following Latin roots Frons for
Etymology Greek gyros ring skopein to view Meaning A gyroscope is a devi
Etymology The word haruspex derives from two Latin roots haruspic or haruspic
Etymology and Meaning Horoscope is derived from the Late Latin word horoscopus whic
Etymology Latin inspectus past participle of inspicere to look into examine Prefi
Etymology The word inspection comes from the Latin inspectio which means a view o
Etymology Latin inspector inspector Meaning A person appointed to examine or over
Etymology The word introspect originates from the Latin words intro meaning inward
Etymology The word introspection is derived from two Latin roots Intro meaning w
Etymology Perspective comes from the Latin word perspicere which means to see throu
Etymology of Perspicacious Perspicacious originates from the Latin word perspicax
Etymology Perspicacity originates from the Latin word perspicacitās which is deriv
Etymology and Meaning The word prospect has Latin origins deriving from prospectar
Etymology Latin prospectivus Meaning Relating to or characterized by looking forw
Etymology The word respect derives from the Latin word respectus meaning a lookin
Etymology of Respite The word respite comes from the Latin word respicere meaning t
Etymology The word retrospect comes from the Latin roots retro meaning back and
Etymology The word scope comes from the Middle English term scōp which itself ori
Etymology Latin scēpticus from Greek skeptikos inquiring derived from skeptesth
Etymology is the study of the origin of words their history and how their meanings have
Etymology Latin specimen meaning pattern model or sample Meaning A rep
Etymology The word specious has Latin roots deriving from the following speciōsus
Etymology The word spectacle is derived from the Latin word spectaculum which means
Etymology The word spectacular comes from the Latin word spectare which means to l
Etymology The word spectrum comes from the Latin word spectrum which means appariti
Speculate Etymology Latin speculari to observe to watch From specere to look
Etymology The word speculation comes from the Latin word speculatio which means spy
Etymology The word spice comes from the Old French word espice which in turn comes f
Etymology The word suspect is derived from the Latin word suspectus meaning distru
Etymology The word suspicion comes from the Old French word suspection which is itse
Etymology Suspicious is derived from the Late Latin word suspiciosus meaning dist
Etymology Greek tele far skopos watcher Meaning A telescope is an optica
Etymology The word gilded comes from the Old English gyldan meaning to cover or ov
Etymology From Latin meretricius meaning of or like a prostitute Ultimately derived
Meaning Spurious etymology is the false or mistaken belief about the origin or meaning o
Etymology The word varnish originates from the Old French word verniz which in turn
Etymology Latin simulacrum meaning likeness image representation From simulare
Etymology The term neopaganism is derived from three Greek words neo new paganu
Etymology Latin splendidus shining brilliant magnificent Proto Indo European roo
Etymology Late Middle English in the sense disposed to preserve existing institutio
Etymology Greek Αντιόχεια Antiókheia Meaning By Victory or Fortres
