Plau'si-ble, a.
a. [Fr. & Sp. plausible, It. plausibile, Lat. plausibilis, from plaudere, plausum, to applaud.]
Sense 1. Capable of being applauded; fitted to gain favor or approbation; hence, superficially pleasing; apparently right; specious; popular; as, a plausible argument; a plausible pretext; a plausible doctrine.
Sense 2. Using specious arguments or discourse; as, a plausible man.
Synonyms—PLAUSIBLE, SPECIOUS. Both these words have a bad sense. Plausible denotes that which seems to satisfy the ear, and yet leaves distrust in the judgment. Specious describes that which carries a fair appearance to the eye, and yet may cover something false. Many plausible arguments and specious pretenses have been brought forward to defend the cause of wickedness. “An excuse is plausible when the well-connected narrative of the maker impresses a belief of its justice; it is specious when its fallacy is easily discernible through the thin guise it wears.” Crabb. “In this superficial way, indeed, the mind is capable of more variety of plausible talk, but it is not enlarged as it should be in its knowledge.” Locke. “The guardian directs one of his pupils to think with the wise, but speak with the vulgar. This is a precept specious enough, but not always practicable.” Johnson.