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Webster 1913 Edition

Plausible

Plau′si-ble

,
Adj.
[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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Plausible

PLAUS'IBLE

,
Adj.
s as z. [L. plausibilis, from plaudo, to clap hands in token of approbation; laus, laudo; Eng. loud.]
1.
That may be applauded; that may gain favor or approbation; hence, superficially pleasing; apparently right; specious; popular; as a plausible argument; a plausible pretext; a plausible doctrine.
2.
Using specious arguments or discourse; as a plausible man.

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