MERETRI'CIOUS, adjective [Latin meretricius, from meretrix, a prostitute.] 1. Pertaining to prostitutes; such as in practiced by harlots; as meretricious arts. 2. Alluring by false show; worn for disguise; having a gaudy but deceitful appearance; false; as meretricious dress or ornaments.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI