speculum
Americannoun
plural
specula, speculums-
a mirror or reflector, especially one of polished metal, as on a reflecting telescope.
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Surgery. an instrument for rendering a part accessible to observation, as by enlarging an orifice.
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Ornithology. a lustrous or specially colored area on the wings of certain birds.
noun
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a mirror, esp one made of polished metal for use in a telescope, etc
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med an instrument for dilating a bodily cavity or passage to permit examination of its interior
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a patch of distinctive colour on the wing of a bird, esp in certain ducks
Etymology
Origin of speculum
1590–1600; < Latin: mirror, equivalent to spec ( ere ) to look, behold + -ulum instrumental suffix; -ule
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The parts that hurt for some patients — just placing the speculum is uncomfortable — placing the tenaculum is the first part that's not just pressure that can sometimes feel sharp,” Espey told Salon.
From Salon • Aug. 14, 2024
I was in the middle of examining a patient when I dropped my speculum.
From Washington Post • Mar. 24, 2022
In recent years, there have been petitions to rename the instrument commonly known as the Sims vaginal speculum, a tool used daily by obstetricians and gynecologists to observe the cervix.
From New York Times • Sep. 21, 2021
Catholic and Protestants alike examined witches’ physical aspects as if by speculum.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2021
The condition is visible on inspection with a speculum.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7 "Gyantse" to "Hallel" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
