spectral

[ spek-truhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a specter; ghostly; phantom.
2. resembling or suggesting a specter.
3. of, relating to, or produced by a spectrum or spectra.
4. resembling or suggesting a spectrum or spectra.

spectral

/ spɛkˈtrælɪtɪ; ˈspɛktrəl /

adjective

1. of or like a spectre
2. of or relating to a spectrum

   spectral colours

3. physics (of a physical quantity) relating to a single wavelength of radiation

   spectral luminous efficiency

Derived Forms

• spectrality, noun
• ˈspectrally, adverb

Other Words From

• spec·trali·ty spectral·ness noun
• spectral·ly adverb
• non·spectral adjective
• non·spectral·ly adverb
• nonspec·trali·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spectral¹

First recorded in 1710–20; from Latin spectr(um) ( specter ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

At its most brilliant and spectral, beauty helps us hold on.

From Los Angeles Times

He does not require any evidence, not even spectral, to trigger their need to demonstrate unswerving faith.

From Salon

Its ability to scrutinize distant exoplanets will also be hampered, especially in gathering the spectral measurements used to discern alien atmospheres.

From Science Magazine

Additionally, the material showed a high spectral transmittance, or transparency, of 95 percent.

From Science Daily

"With satellite measurements, trade-offs must be made between spatial coverage, spatial and temporal resolution, and spectral resolution and associated detection accuracy. AI partially offsets these trade-offs," explains co-author Claudia Hulbert, also of Geolabe.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• eerie
• shadowy