SPURIOUS, adjective [Latin]

1. Not genuine; not proceeding from the true source, or from the source pretended; counterfeit; false; adulterate. spurious writings are such as are not composed by the authors to whom they are ascribed. spurious drugs are common. The reformed churches reject spurious ceremonies and traditions.

2. Not legitimate; bastard; as spurious issue. By the laws of England, one begotten and born out of lawful matrimony, is a spurious child.

SPURIOUS disease, a disease not of the genuine type, but bearing a resemblance in its symptoms.