n. pl. spec·u·la (-lə) or spec·u·lums 1. A mirror or polished metal plate used as a reflector in optical instruments. 2. An instrument for dilating the opening of a body cavity for medical examination. 3. Zoology a. A bright, often iridescent patch of color on the wings of certain birds, especially ducks. b. A transparent spot in the wings of some butterflies or moths. [Middle English, surgical speculum, from Latin, mirror, from specere, to look at; see spek- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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