† imˈposterous, a. Obs.
[f. imposter, impostor, or perh. (from the date) imposture + -ous; cf. impostorous, -trous, -turous.]
1. Of the nature of an imposture; false.
| 1562 W. Bullein Bk. Simples 44 a, Nothing, but the imposterous subtiltie of wicked people. 1607 Beaum. & Fl. Woman-Hater iii. ii, To hold thy strictness false and imposterous. 1665 J. Spenser Vulg. Prophecies 4 So imposterous and litigious an Argument as this is. |
2. Having the character of an impostor.
| a 1626 Middleton Mayor Queenborough ii. iii. 235 When thou'rt known to be a whore imposterous. a 1640 Day Parl. Bees ix. (1881) 56 This Satyre is the Character Of an imposterous Quacksalver. 1652 Gaule Magastrom. 370 Executed for an imposterous traytor. |
Hence † imˈposterously adv.
| 1657 W. Morice Coena quasi κοινὴ Def. xi. 123 They would not dare to argue so imposterously. |