Plau"si*ble (?), a. [L. plausibilis praiseworthy, from
plaudere, plausum, to applaud, clap the hands, strike, beat.]
1. Worthy of being applauded; praiseworthy; commendable; ready.
[Obs.] Bp. Hacket.
2. Obtaining approbation; specifically pleasing;
apparently right; specious; as, a plausible pretext; plausible
manners; a plausible
delusion. "Plausible and popular arguments." Clarendon.
3. Using
specious arguments or discourse; as, a plausible speaker.
Syn. -- Plausible,
Specious. Plausible denotes that which seems reasonable, yet leaves distrust in the judgment. Specious describes that which presents a fair appearance to the view and yet covers something false. Specious refers more definitely to the act or purpose of false representation;
plausible has more reference to the effect
on the beholder or hearer. An argument may by specious when it is not plausible because its sophistry is so easily discovered.
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