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speculum

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
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]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.speculumspeculum - 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


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