meretriciousness

3 definitions found

meretriciousness - 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]

  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]

meretriciousness - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  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]