speck

American  

[spek] / spɛk /

noun

1. a small spot differing in color or substance from that of the surface or material upon which it appears or lies.

   Specks of soot on the window sill.

2. a very little bit or particle.

   We haven't a speck of sugar.

3. something appearing small by comparison or by reason of distance.

   By then the town was just a speck.

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verb (used with object)

1. to mark with, or as with, a speck or specks.

speck British  

/ spɛk /

noun

1. a very small mark or spot

2. a small or tiny piece of something

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verb

1. (tr) to mark with specks or spots

Other Word Forms

• speckedness noun
• speckless adjective
• specklessly adverb
• specklessness noun

Etymology

Origin of speck

before 900; Middle English specke, Old English specca; cognate with Dutch spikkel

Example Sentences

They reached an elevation that looked down upon the Very, Very Far North, with a few clouds actually hanging below them and the Shipwreck nothing but a speck seen far off in the distance.

From Literature

He must have been holding his breath because I couldn’t see one speck of life anywhere in his body.

From Literature

She dropped a speck in my hand, and all my hope drained away.

From Literature

There was no sign of a sail, but there was a speck that could be a boat with someone inside it.

From Literature

I wash the green specks off my hands and head for the front door.

From Literature

Related Words

• blot
• dot
• fleck
• iota
• mite
• particle
• shred
• splotch
• stain