speculum
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yə noun, plural spec·u·la [-luh] , spec·u·lums.
[-luh] , spec·u·lums. 1.
a mirror or reflector, especially one of polished metal, as on a reflecting telescope.
3.
Surgery. an instrument for rendering a part accessible to observation, as by enlarging an orifice.
4.
Ornithology. a lustrous or specially colored area on the wings of certain birds.
Origin:
1590–1600; < Latin: mirror, equivalent to spec(ere) to look, behold + -ulum instrumental suffix; see -ule
1590–1600; < Latin: mirror, equivalent to spec(ere) to look, behold + -ulum instrumental suffix; see -ule
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To speculum
00:10
Speculum
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
speculum (ˈspɛkjʊləm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n , pl -la, -lums | |
| 1. | a mirror, esp one made of polished metal for use in a telescope, etc |
| 2. | med an instrument for dilating a bodily cavity or passage to permit examination of its interior |
| 3. | a patch of distinctive colour on the wing of a bird, esp in certain ducks |
| [C16: from Latin: mirror, from specere to look at] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
speculum
1597, from L., lit. "mirror," from specere "to look at, view" (see scope (1)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
speculum spec·u·lum (spěk'yə-ləm)
n. pl. spec·u·lums or spec·u·la (-lə)
A mirror or polished metal plate that is used as a reflector in optical instruments.
An instrument that is used to dilate the opening of a body cavity for medical examination.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
True dabbling ducks have an iridescent patch, called a speculum, on the trailing edge of their secondary feathers.
The interior of the meatus can be examined through a speculum.
Mallards have white wing bars on both edges of the blue speculum.
The speculum exam will then be completed according to usual procedures.
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