Genuine, a.
Etymology: [L. genuinus, fr. genere, gignere, to beget, in pass., to be born: cf. F. génuine. See Gender.]
Belonging to, or proceeding from, the original stock; native; hence, not counterfeit, spurious, false, or adulterated; authentic; real; natural; true; pure; as, a genuine text; a genuine production; genuine materials. "True, genuine night." Dryden.
Syn. -- Authentic; real; true; pure; unalloyed; unadulterated. See Authentic. -- Gen"u*ine*ly, adv. -- Gen"u*ine*ness, n. The evidence, both internal and external, against the genuineness of these letters, is overwhelming. Macaulay.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for genuine; he lists it under authentic, honest, pure, real.
Where he writes about it:
That is authentic which is true to the facts; that is genuine which is true to its own claims; as, authentic history; genuine money. — from authentic
A 'genuine' work is one written by the author whose name it bears; an 'authentic' work is one which relates truthfully the matters of which it treats. — from authentic
For example, the apocryphal Gospel of St. Thomas is neither 'genuine' nor 'authentic.' It is not 'genuine,' for St. Thomas did not write it; it is not 'authentic,' for its contents are mainly fables and lies. — from authentic
J. W.] Authentic is, however, used by reputable writers as synonymous with genuine, tho usually where genuineness carries a certain authority. — from authentic
We speak of accepted conclusions, certain evidence, current money, genuine letters, a legitimate conclusion or legitimate authority, original manuscripts, real value, received interpretation, sure proof, a true statement, a trustworthy witness, a veritable discovery. — from authentic
Synonyms
authentichonestpurerealabsoluteacceptedaccreditedactualauthoritativeauthorizedcandidcertainchasteclassicclassicalcleanclearcontinentcurrentdemonstrabledevelopedequitableessentialfairfaithfulfrankgoodguilelessguiltlessholyhonorableimmaculateincorruptingenuousinnocentjustlegitimatemereoriginalperfectpositivereceivedreliablesheersimplesincerespotlessstainlessstraightforwardsubstantialsuretruetrustworthytrustyunadulteratedunblemisheduncorruptedundefiledunmingledunmixedunpollutedunquestionableunspottedunstainedunsullieduntainteduntarnisheduprightveritablevirtuous
Antonyms
adulteratedapocryphalbaselessconceivedcounterfeitdeceitfuldefileddirtydishonestdisingenuousdisputedexplodedfabulousfaithlessfalsefancifulfeignedfictitiousfilthyfoulfraudulentgrosshypocriticalhypotheticalillusoryimaginaryimmodestimpureindecentindelicatelewdlyingmendaciousmixedobsceneperfidiouspollutedreportedspuriousstainedsulliedsupposedsupposititioustaintedtarnishedtheoreticaltraitoroustreacherousunauthorizedunchasteuncleanunfaithfulunrealunscrupulousuntruevisionary