Search Result for "meretriciousness": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (2)

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

2. tasteless showiness;
[syn: flashiness, garishness, gaudiness, loudness, brashness, meretriciousness, tawdriness, glitz]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

meretriciousness \mer`e*tri"cious*ness\ n. 1. an appearance of truth that is false or deceptive; seeming plausibility. Syn: speciousness. [WordNet 1.5] 2. tasteless showiness. Syn: flashiness, garishness, gaudiness, loudness, tawdriness, glitz. [WordNet 1.5]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Meretricious \Mer`e*tri"cious\, a. [L. meretricius, from meretrix, -icis, a prostitute, lit., one who earns money, i. e., by prostitution, fr. merere to earn, gain. See Merit.] 1. Of or pertaining to prostitutes; having to do with harlots; lustful; as, meretricious traffic. [1913 Webster] 2. Resembling the arts of a harlot; alluring by false show; gaudily and deceitfully ornamental; tawdry; as, meretricious dress or ornaments. [1913 Webster] 3. Deceptive or based on deception; seeming plausible, but based on pretense or insincerity; deceptive; misleading; insincere; specious; as, meretricious arguments. [PJC] -- Mer`e*tri"cious*ly, adv. -- Mer`e*tri"cious*ness, n. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

meretriciousness n 1: an appearance of truth that is false or deceptive; seeming plausibility; "the speciousness of his argument" [syn: speciousness, meretriciousness] 2: tasteless showiness [syn: flashiness, garishness, gaudiness, loudness, brashness, meretriciousness, tawdriness, glitz]