speculum

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A medical instrument used during an examination to dilate an orifice.
  2. A mirror, especially one used in a telescope.
  3. A bright, lustrous patch of colour found on the wings of ducks and some other birds, usually situated on the distal portions of the secondary quills, and much more brilliant in the adult male than in the female.
  4. A lookout place.

Pronunciation

/ˈspɛk.jʊ.ləm/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-speculum.wav /ˈspɛk.jə.ləm/

Word forms

speculum specula speculums

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin speculum.

Synonyms

Related words

Derived words

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