Specula
noun, plural specula
[spek-yuh-luh] /ˈspɛk yə lə/ (Show IPA), speculums.
1.
a mirror or reflector, especially one of polished metal, as on a reflecting telescope.
2.
speculum metal.
3.
Surgery. an instrument for rendering a part accessible to observation, as by enlarging an orifice.
4.
Ornithology. a lustrous or specially colored area on the wings of certain birds.
noun (pl) -la (-lə), -lums
1.
a mirror, esp one made of polished metal for use in a telescope, etc
2.
(med) an instrument for dilating a bodily cavity or passage to permit examination of its interior
3.
a patch of distinctive colour on the wing of a bird, esp in certain ducks
speculum spec·u·lum (spěk’yə-ləm)
n. pl. spec·u·lums or spec·u·la (-lə)
A mirror or polished metal plate that is used as a reflector in optical instruments.
An instrument that is used to dilate the opening of a body cavity for medical examination.
Read Also:
- Specular
adjective 1. pertaining to or having the properties of a mirror. 2. pertaining to a speculum. 3. Optics. (of reflected light) directed, as from a smooth, polished surface (opposed to diffuse). adjective 1. of, relating to, or having the properties of a mirror: specular reflection 2. of or relating to a speculum
- Speculate
verb (used without object), speculated, speculating. 1. to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (often followed by on, upon, or a clause). 2. to indulge in conjectural thought. 3. to engage in any business transaction involving considerable risk or the chance of large gains, especially to buy and sell commodities, stocks, etc., in the expectation […]
- Speculated
verb (used without object), speculated, speculating. 1. to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (often followed by on, upon, or a clause). 2. to indulge in conjectural thought. 3. to engage in any business transaction involving considerable risk or the chance of large gains, especially to buy and sell commodities, stocks, etc., in the expectation […]
- Speculating
verb (used without object), speculated, speculating. 1. to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (often followed by on, upon, or a clause). 2. to indulge in conjectural thought. 3. to engage in any business transaction involving considerable risk or the chance of large gains, especially to buy and sell commodities, stocks, etc., in the expectation […]
- Speculative execution
processor A technique allows a superscalar processor to keep its functional units as busy as possible by executing instructions before it is known that they will be needed. The Intel P6 uses speculative execution. Compare branch prediction, speculative evaluation. (1995-05-05)