transcription, транскрипция: [ ˌmer-ə-ˈtri-shəs ]
adjective
Etymology: Latin meretricius, from meretric-, meretrix prostitute, from merēre to earn — more at merit
Date: 1626
1. : of or relating to a prostitute : having the nature of prostitution
meretricious relationships
2.
a. : tawdrily and falsely attractive
the paradise they found was a piece of meretricious trash — Carolyn See
b. : superficially significant : pretentious
scholarly names to provide fig-leaves of respectability for meretricious but stylish books — Times Literary Supplement
Synonyms: see gaudy
• mer·e·tri·cious·ly adverb
• mer·e·tri·cious·ness noun