spuriousness
|spu-ri-ous-ness|
🇺🇸
/ˈspjʊriəsnəs/
🇬🇧
/ˈspjʊəriəsnəs/
not genuine; false
Etymology
'spuriousness' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'spurius', where 'spurius' meant 'false, illegitimate'.
'spurious' changed from Latin 'spurius' (Late Latin) and entered English in the early modern period as 'spurious'; the noun 'spuriousness' was formed from the adjective in English.
Initially it meant 'illegitimate or false', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the quality of being not genuine or based on falsehoods'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of being spurious; falseness or lack of authenticity or genuineness.
The spuriousness of the painting was proven by scientific tests.
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Noun 2
the quality of being based on false reasoning or misleading evidence; fallaciousness.
Critics pointed out the spuriousness of his claims in the article.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/10 09:36