fallacious, a.
(fəˈleɪʃəs)
[f. L. fallāci-a (see fallacy) + -ous. Cf. F. fallacieux. In early use it appears with sense derived from that of the n.; subsequently (in accordance with the usual tendency of adjs. in -acious) it came to be taken as the representative of L. fallax.]
1. Of an argument, syllogism, etc.: Containing a fallacy.
| 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. xi. xx, Seven sophyms full hard and fallacyous Thys ydre used in preposicion Unto the people. 1651 Baxter Inf. Bapt. 228, I undertake to prove every Argument of his..to be vain and fallacious. 1788 Reid Aristotle's Log. v. §3. 116 Such fallacious syllogisms are considered in this treatise. 1864 Bowen Logic ix. 294 Those fallacious reasonings which are correct in form. |
2. † a. Of persons: Deceitful (
obs.).
b. Of things: Deceptive, misleading.
| a. 1663 Cowley The Complaint viii, Teach me not then, O thou fallacious Muse, The Court..t'accuse. 1769 Burke Late State Nat. Wks. 1842 I. 82 This author..is only slovenly and inaccurate, and not fallacious. |
| b. 1651 Biggs New Disp. ¶305 A fallacious word, signifying contrary to what it pretends. 1772–84 Cook Voy. (1790) VI. 2024 A very fallacious method of judging. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. x. 434 No evidence is more fallacious than that which rests upon isolated facts. |
3. That causes disappointment; mocking expectation, delusive.
| 1667 Milton P.L. ix. 1046 That fallacious Fruit. 1741 Middleton Cicero II. x. 385 False and fallacious hopes. 1877 Sparrow Serm. i. 11 Nor is it a deceitful joy..a fallacious peace. |