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plausibility|plɔːzɪˈbɪlɪtɪ|
[f. L. plausibilis (see plausible) + -ity. So F. plausibilité (1725).]
The quality of being plausible.
†1. Readiness to applaud or approve. Obs.
1598Hakluyt Voy. I. 287 He..was conducted through the Citie of London with great admiration and plausibilitie of the people running plentifully on all sides. 1644Bulwer Chiron. 106 Although the ancient Oratours received this token of approbation from the hands of the their auditors yet they never exhibited upon any occasion such Manuall plausibilitie to the people.
†2. The quality of deserving applause or approval; agreeableness of manner or behaviour, affability; with pl., an instance of this, something worthy of applause; a praiseworthy quality or trait, an agreeable or courteous act. (Cf. plausible a. 2.) Obs.
1596Nashe Saffron-Walden Wks. (Grosart) III. 69 What's the saluation of Dauid Gorge? A Nullitie... What the plausibilitie of Martin? A Nullitie. 1611Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. vi. xxiii. 113 Hoping by such his plausibility and indulgences to purchase to himselfe their best concurrence for the obtaining of the Empire. 1673Vaughan Life & Death Jackson in J.'s Wks. (1844) I. p. xlv, [He] carried on his dignity with that justice, modesty, integrity, fidelity, and other gracious plausibilities, that in a place of trust he contented those whom he could not satisfy. 1681Glanvill Sadducismus Pref., He must study the little plausibilities, and accomodate the humour of the Many.
3. As a quality of an argument, statement, or the like: Seeming worthiness of acceptance; appearance of reasonableness; speciousness.
1649Milton Eikon. 100 Using the plausibility of large and indefinite words to defend himself. a1745Swift (J.), The last excuse..was allowed indeed to have more plausibility, but less truth. 1748Hartley Observ. Man ii. ii. 72 The Circumstances which gave some Plausibility to the Fiction. 1824L. Murray Eng. Gram. (ed. 5) I. 174 The analogy of other languages..gives plausibility to the conjecture. 1830Lyell Princ. Geol. I. 39 He had the art to throw an air of plausibility over the most improbable parts of his theory.
b. (with pl.) An instance of this; a plausible argument, statement, or the like.
1660Jer. Taylor Duct. Dubit. i. ii, Nothing but a heap of probable inducements, plausibilities, and witty entertainments. 1881Morley Cobden xiv. (1902) 50/1 Political plausibilities will reconcile men to everything, save the deprivation of their property.
c. As a quality of a person: Capacity of putting forward plausible statements; fair-spokenness.
1754Fielding Jon. Wild ii. iii, A certain plausibility in his voice and behaviour would have deceived any. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. vii. 233 His plausibility long enabled him to explain away his conduct. |