speculum

spec·u·lum  (spky-lm)

n. pl. spec·u·la (-l) or spec·u·lums

1. A mirror or polished metal plate used as a reflector in optical instruments.

2. An instrument for dilating the opening of a body cavity for medical examination.

3. Zoology

a. A bright, often iridescent patch of color on the wings of certain birds, especially ducks.

b. A transparent spot in the wings of some butterflies or moths.

---

[Middle English, surgical speculum, from Latin, mirror, from specere, to look at; see spek- in Indo-European roots.]

---

speculum [ˈspɛkjʊləm]

n pl -la [-lə], -lums

1. (Physics / General Physics) a mirror, esp one made of polished metal for use in a telescope, etc.

2. (Medicine) Med an instrument for dilating a bodily cavity or passage to permit examination of its interior

3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) a patch of distinctive colour on the wing of a bird, esp in certain ducks

[from Latin: mirror, from specere to look at]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	speculum - a mirror (especially one made of polished metal) for use in an optical instrument mirror - polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
	2.	speculum - a medical instrument for dilating a bodily passage or cavity in order to examine the interior medical instrument - instrument used in the practice of medicine

Translations

speculum [ˈspekjʊləm] N (speculums, specula (pl)) → espéculo m

speculum

n pl <specula> (Med) → Spekulum nt; (in telescope) → Metallspiegel m