spŭrĭus, i, m. [root spar-; cf. σπείρω, σπορά, and sperno], adj.
I Lit., of illegitimate birth; subst. , an illegitimate or spurious child , a bastard (only post-class.; esp. among jurists): si quis nefarias atque incestas nuptias contraxerit, neque uxorem habere videtur neque liberos. Hi enim, qui ex eo coitu nascuntur, matrem quidem habere videntur, patrem vero non utique, etc. ... Unde solent spurii filii appeliari, vel a Graecā voce, quasi σποράδην concepti vel quasi sine patre filii, Gai. Inst. 1, 64; cf. Dig. 1, 5, 23; ib. 49, 15, 26; Cod. Just. 1, 10, 12; 6, 55, 6; Ap. Met. 6, 9, 24.—Thus the Parthenians (v. Partheniae) were also called Spurii, acc. to Just. 20, 1, 15.—
II Trop., false , spurious : versus (in Homeri carminibus), Aus. Ep. 18 fin. : vates, id. ap. Sept. Sap. 13 prooem.