'Spurious quill' definitions:

Definition of 'Spurious quill'

From: GCIDE
  • Spurious \Spu"ri*ous\ (sp[=u]"r[i^]*[u^]s), a. [L. spurius.]
  • 1. Not proceeding from the true source, or from the source pretended; not genuine; counterfeit; false; adulterate. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Not legitimate; bastard; as, spurious issue. "Her spurious firstborn." --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Spurious primary, or Spurious quill (Zool.), the first, or outer, primary quill when rudimentary or much reduced in size, as in certain singing birds.
  • Spurious wing (Zool.), the bastard wing, or alula. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: Counterfeit; false; adulterate; supposititious; fictitious; bastard. [1913 Webster] -- {Spu"ri*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Spu"ri*ous*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]