Dictionary Definition
speculum
Noun
1 a mirror (especially one made of polished
metal) for use in an optical instrument
2 a medical instrument for dilating a bodily
passage or cavity in order to examine the interior [also: specula (pl)]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Etymology
speculum, mirror, diminutive form from root spec-, to look at + diminutive suffix -ulumPronunciation
- (UK): /ˈspɛkjʊləm/, /"spEkjUl@m/
- (UK): , /ˈspɛkjələm/, /"spEkj@l@m/
Noun
- A medical instrument used during an examination to dilate an orifice.
- A mirror.
Latin
Noun
speculum, -ī nInflection
Extensive Definition
Meanings of speculum include:
- Speculum (medical), a medical tool used for examining body cavities.
- Speculum metal, an alloy containing copper and tin used for making all-metal mirrors.
- A speculum metal mirror used in telescopes or early octants.
- A mirror, for example, a hand-held bronze mirror used by Etruscan women.
- Speculum feathers, the secondary feathers on the inner part of a duck's wing which are often brightly coloured.
- Speculum (journal), a journal of medieval studies published by the Medieval Academy of America.
- Ophrys speculum, a species of ground orchid.
- Speculum literature, a genre of medieval literature, has the titles of a number of books including the word speculum.
- Specula (mollusc), a genus of gastropod mollusc.
- Deth Specula, first band to broadcast audio and video of a live music concert over the Internet
speculum in Dutch: Speculum