meretriciousness

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}]
    

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]