SPECIMEN
Spec"i*men, n. Etym: [L., fr. specere to look, to behold. See Spy.]
Defn: A part, or small portion, of anything, or one of a number of things, intended to exhibit the kind and quality of the whole, or of what is not exhibited; a sample; as, a specimen of a man's handwriting; a specimen of painting; aspecimen of one's art.
Syn. — Sample; model; pattern. — Specimen, Sample. A specimen is a representative of the class of things to which it belongs; as, a specimen of photography. A sample is a part of the thing itself, designed to show the quality of the whole; as, a sample of sugar or of broadcloth. A cabinet of minerals consists of specimens; if a part be broken off from any one of these, it is a sample of the mineral to which it belongs. "Several persons have exhibited specimens of this art before multitudes of beholders." Addison. "I design this but for a sample of what I hope more fully to discuss." Woodward.
SPECIOSITY
Spe`ci*os"i*ty, n.; pl. Speciocities. Etym: [Cf. LL. speciositas.]
1. The quality or state of being specious; speciousness. Professions built so largely on speciosity, instead of performance. Carlyle.
2. That which is specious. Dr. H. More.
SPECIOUS Spe"cious, a. Etym: [L. speciosusgood-looking, beautiful, specious, fr. species look, show, appearance; cf. F. spécoeux. See Species.]
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.