spectral

[ spek-truhl ]

/ ˈspɛk trəl /

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See synonyms for spectral on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of or relating to a specter; ghostly; phantom.

resembling or suggesting a specter.

of, relating to, or produced by a spectrum or spectra.

resembling or suggesting a spectrum or spectra.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of spectral

First recorded in 1710–20; from Latin spectr(um) (see specter) + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM spectral

spec·tral·i·ty, spec·tral·ness, nounspec·tral·ly, adverbnon·spec·tral, adjectivenon·spec·tral·ly, adverb

non·spec·tral·i·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spectral in a sentence

Researchers in the original study used a technique called polynomial fitting, which is supposed to remove background noise around the spectral region where phosphine signals should pop up.
Not finding life on Venus would be disappointing. But it’s good science at work.|Neel Patel|October 31, 2020|MIT Technology Review
She was close under the stern, and rendered spectrally visible by the light of the lantern.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
Two dusky forms glided spectrally into the place, one bearing a lamp.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks|Bracebridge Hemyng
They descended the rise and, reaching the flat, discerned the gaunt walls of the old inn looming spectrally from the mist.
The Shrieking Pit|Arthur J. Rees

If their hues are close together spectrally this effect is not as apparent.
Visual Illusions|Matthew Luckiesh
Already, as he rode out of the yard, a gatepost and a tree shone spectrally.
Cripps, the Carrier|R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore

British Dictionary definitions for spectral

spectral

/ (ˈspɛktrəl) /

adjective

of or like a spectre

of or relating to a spectrumspectral colours

physics (of a physical quantity) relating to a single wavelength of radiationspectral luminous efficiency

Derived forms of spectral

spectrality (spɛkˈtrælɪtɪ) or spectralness, nounspectrally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

spectral

Origin of spectral

OTHER WORDS FROM spectral

Words related to spectral

How to use spectral in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for spectral

Derived forms of spectral