spurious
[ spyoor-ee-uhs ]
/ ˈspyʊər i əs /
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adjective
not genuine, authentic, or true; not from the claimed, pretended, or proper source; counterfeit.
Biology. (of two or more parts, plants, etc.) having a similar appearance but a different structure.
of illegitimate birth; bastard.
SYNONYMS FOR spurious
QUIZZES
THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?
Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.
Question 1 of 8
Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?
Origin of spurious
1590–1600; <Latin spurius bastard, perhaps <Etruscan; see -ous
OTHER WORDS FROM spurious
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for spurious
British Dictionary definitions for spurious
spurious
/ (ˈspjʊərɪəs) /
adjective
not genuine or real
(of a plant part or organ) having the appearance of another part but differing from it in origin, development, or function; falsea spurious fruit
(of radiation) produced at an undesired frequency by a transmitter, causing interference, etc
rare illegitimate
Derived forms of spurious
spuriously, adverbspuriousness, nounWord Origin for spurious
C17: from Latin spurius of illegitimate birth
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medical definitions for spurious
spurious
[ spyur′ē-əs ]
adj.
Similar in appearance or symptoms but unrelated in morphology or pathology; false.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.