specimen Hear it!

specimen definition

speci·men (spes′ə mən)

noun

  1. a part of a whole, or one individual of a class or group, used as a sample or example of the whole, class, or group; typical part, individual, etc.
  2. Informal a (specified kind of) individual or person an unsavory specimen
  3. Med. a sample, as of urine, sputum, or blood, for analysis

Etymology: L, a mark, token, example < specere, to see: see spy

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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