specimen

[spes-uh-muhn]

noun

1. a part or an individual taken as exemplifying a whole mass or number; a typical animal, plant, mineral, part, etc.

   Synonyms: pattern, model, type

2. (in medicine, microbiology, etc.) a sample of a substance or material for examination or study.

   a urine specimen; a tissue specimen.

3. a particular or peculiar kind of person.

specimen

/ ˈspɛsɪmɪn /

noun

1. 1. an individual, object, or part regarded as typical of the group or class to which it belongs

   2. ( as modifier )

      a specimen signature

      a specimen page

2. med a sample of tissue, blood, urine, etc, taken for diagnostic examination or evaluation

3. the whole or a part of an organism, plant, rock, etc, collected and preserved as an example of its class, species, etc

4. informal,  a person

Word History and Origins

Origin of specimen¹

1600–10; < Latin: mark, example, indication, sign, equivalent to speci-, stem of specere to look, regard + -men noun suffix denoting result or means

Word History and Origins

Origin of specimen¹

C17: from Latin: mark, evidence, proof, from specere to look at

Synonym Study

See example.

Example Sentences

The Darwin specimen is especially notable because it is roughly 15 million years older than other known cardabiodontids and had already reached the extremely large size typical of the group.

Read more on Science Daily

High-resolution X-ray CT makes it possible to view structures concealed inside preserved specimens, including the interior of a chameleon's skull.

Read more on Science Daily

Clearly, none of these noble specimens was likely to make an appearance at the nursery window.

Read more on Literature

The many potted specimens created a jungled grotto on the far side of the dining room, and the diners within, if any, were well concealed by the delicately swaying fronds.

Read more on Literature

After their snake handler’s docile specimen has an onset mishap, the real thing slithers into view.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• copy 
• exhibit 
• variety