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View synonyms for spectral

spectral

[ spek-truhl ]

adjective

  1. of or relating to a specter; ghostly; phantom.
  2. resembling or suggesting a specter.
  3. of, relating to, or produced by a spectrum or spectra.
  4. resembling or suggesting a spectrum or spectra.


spectral

/ spɛkˈtrælɪtɪ; ˈspɛktrəl /

adjective

  1. of or like a spectre
  2. of or relating to a spectrum

    spectral colours

  3. physics (of a physical quantity) relating to a single wavelength of radiation

    spectral luminous efficiency



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Derived Forms

  • spectrality, noun
  • ˈspectrally, adverb

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Other Words From

  • spec·trali·ty spectral·ness noun
  • spectral·ly adverb
  • non·spectral adjective
  • non·spectral·ly adverb
  • nonspec·trali·ty noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of spectral1

First recorded in 1710–20; from Latin spectr(um) ( specter ) + -al 1

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Example Sentences

But Kasich and Walker face competitive re-elections; their national presence is spectral, their national potential speculative.

Where the Austin building is nuanced and almost spectral, Bakersfield is all verve and gesture.

What a spectral and exaggerated shape all things take in her scared and over-excited gaze!

Even as I looked I saw the features of a human countenance—and yet not human either, so spectral was it, so unreal and strange.

Our fellows were being hard beset to hold on to what they had won; there, where the horizon stood out with spectral luminosity.

Spectral shapes issue forth suddenly, and return as suddenly into the deep shade.

Mist floated upward from marsh and lake; and through it the spectral palms loomed, drooping fronds embroidered with dew.

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spectraspectral line