Meretricious
Meretricious , adjective
[Latin meretricius, from meretrix, -icis, a prostitute, lit., one who earns money, i. e., by prostitution, from merere to earn, gain. See Merit.]
1.
Of or pertaining to prostitutes; having to do with harlots; lustful; as, meretricious traffic.
2.
Resembling the arts of a harlot; alluring by false show; gaudily and deceitfully ornamental; tawdry; as, meretricious dress or ornaments.
3.
Deceptive or based on deception; seeming plausible, but based on pretense or insincerity; deceptive; misleading; insincere; specious; as, meretricious arguments.