Main Entry: spu·ri·ous

Pronunciation: \ˈspyu̇r-ē-əs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin spurius false, from Latin, of illegitimate birth, from spurius, noun, bastard

Date: 1598

1 : of illegitimate birth : bastard
2 : outwardly similar or corresponding to something without having its genuine qualities : false <the spurious eminence of the pop celebrity>
3 a : of falsified or erroneously attributed origin : forged b : of a deceitful nature or quality <spurious excuses>

— spu·ri·ous·ly adverb

— spu·ri·ous·ness noun