spectrum
Physics.
an array of entities, as light waves or particles, ordered in accordance with the magnitudes of a common physical property, as wavelength or mass: often the band of colors produced when sunlight is passed through a prism, comprising red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
this band or series of colors together with extensions at the ends that are not visible to the eye, but that can be studied by means of photography, heat effects, etc., and that are produced by the dispersion of radiant energy other than ordinary light rays.: Compare band spectrum, electromagnetic spectrum, mass spectrum.
a broad range of varied but related ideas or objects, the individual features of which tend to overlap so as to form a continuous series or sequence: the spectrum of political beliefs.
the range of traits and behaviors that are considered to be characteristic of autism spectrum disorder.
Idioms about spectrum
on the spectrum, having an autism spectrum disorder, or displaying behaviors considered characteristic of those disorders: The nonprofit works to increase public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum.
Origin of spectrum
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use spectrum in a sentence
Clicking on one of the timelines, you can drill down one level more into the details of that day across several spectrums.
The Best Quantified Self Site You Haven’t Heard Of | Jamie Todd Rubin | August 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe FCC in the past has offered spectrum swaps, but almost always when the proposed spectrums are of equal value.
It was a show to be proud of, and in point of colour resembling solar spectrums, or peacocks' tails.
The Belted Seas | Arthur ColtonI see a succession of five or six brilliantly colored spectrums on each side of the candle.
When I look at this salted spirit lamp, I see a series of spectrums of yellow light.
I see, in fact, a series of spectrums on the two sides with the blue toward the candle flame and the red further out.
British Dictionary definitions for spectrum
/ (ˈspɛktrəm) /
the distribution of colours produced when white light is dispersed by a prism or diffraction grating. There is a continuous change in wavelength from red, the longest wavelength, to violet, the shortest. Seven colours are usually distinguished: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red
the whole range of electromagnetic radiation with respect to its wavelength or frequency
any particular distribution of electromagnetic radiation often showing lines or bands characteristic of the substance emitting the radiation or absorbing it: See also absorption spectrum, emission spectrum
any similar distribution or record of the energies, velocities, masses, etc, of atoms, ions, electrons, etc: a mass spectrum
any range or scale, as of capabilities, emotions, or moods
another name for an afterimage
Origin of spectrum
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for spectrum
[ spĕk′trəm ]
A range over which some measurable property of a physical phenomenon, such as the frequency of sound or electromagnetic radiation, or the mass of specific kinds of particles, can vary. For example, the spectrum of visible light is the range of electromagnetic radiation with frequencies between between 4.7 X 1014 and 7.5 X 1014 hertz.
The observed distribution of a phenomenon across a range of measurement. See more at atomic spectrum spectroscopy.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for spectrum
The range of wavelengths characteristic of a specific type of radiation.
Notes for spectrum
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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