speculum

views updated May 29 2018

spec·u·lum / ˈspekyələm/ • n. (pl. -la / -lə/ ) 1. Med. a metal or plastic instrument that is used to dilate an orifice or canal in the body to allow inspection.2. Ornithol. a bright patch of plumage on the wings of certain birds, esp. a strip of metallic sheen on the secondary flight feathers of many ducks.3. a mirror or reflector of glass or metal, esp. (formerly) a metallic mirror in a reflecting telescope. ∎ short for speculum metal.

speculum

views updated May 17 2018

speculum (spek-yoo-lŭm) n. (pl. specula) a metal instrument for inserting into and holding open a cavity of the body, such as the vagina, rectum, or nasal orifice, in order that the interior may be examined.

speculum

views updated May 21 2018

speculum In birds, a well-defined patch of coloured feathers, often iridescent, found on the secondaries or secondary coverts (e.g. of many Anatidae, particularly Anas species).

Speculum

views updated May 17 2018

Speculum

The crystal ball or any shining, light-refracting surface that a scryer uses for divination, i.e., crystal gazing.

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