a. [ L. spurius. ] 1. Not proceeding from the true source, or from the source pretended; not genuine; counterfeit; false; adulterate. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Not legitimate; bastard; as, spurious issue. “Her spurious firstborn.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] Spurious primary, or Spurious quill (Zool.), the first, or outer, primary quill when rudimentary or much reduced in size, as in certain singing birds. -- Spurious wing (Zool.), the bastard wing, or alula. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Counterfeit; false; adulterate; supposititious; fictitious; bastard. [ 1913 Webster ] -- Spu"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Spu"ri*ous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ] |