spuriously
|spur-i-ous-ly|
C1
/ˈspjʊəriəsli/
(spurious)
false or fake
Etymology
Etymology Information
'spuriously' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'spurius', where the root meant 'illegitimate' or 'false'.
Historical Evolution
'spuriously' changed from the Late Latin word 'spurius' (and later Medieval Latin usage), passed into English as 'spurious' and eventually formed the adverb 'spuriously'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'illegitimate' (especially of birth), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'false; not genuine'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a false or deceitful manner; not genuinely or legitimately; in a way that lacks authenticity or validity.
The report was spuriously optimistic, ignoring several major risks.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/22 10:18