Speculum Definition

spĕkyə-ləm
specula, speculums
noun
A mirror, esp. one of polished metal.
Webster's New World
Such a mirror in a reflecting telescope.
Webster's New World
An instrument for dilating a passage or cavity to facilitate its examination.
Webster's New World
A distinctive patch of color on the wings of certain birds, esp. ducks.
Webster's New World
A transparent spot in the wings of some butterflies or moths.
American Heritage

Other Word Forms of Speculum

Noun

Singular:
speculum
Plural:
specula, speculums

Origin of Speculum

  • Middle English surgical speculum from Latin mirror from specere to look at spek- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin speculum (“mirror"), diminutive form from root spec-, to look at + diminutive suffix -ulum.

    From Wiktionary

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