specimen

[ spes-uh-muhn ]

noun

1. a part or an individual taken as exemplifying a whole mass or number; a typical animal, plant, mineral, part, etc.

   Synonyms: pattern, model, type

2. (in medicine, microbiology, etc.) a sample of a substance or material for examination or study:

   a urine specimen; a tissue specimen.

3. a particular or peculiar kind of person.

specimen

/ ˈspɛsɪmɪn /

noun

1. 1. an individual, object, or part regarded as typical of the group or class to which it belongs
   2. ( as modifier )

      a specimen signature

      a specimen page

2. med a sample of tissue, blood, urine, etc, taken for diagnostic examination or evaluation
3. the whole or a part of an organism, plant, rock, etc, collected and preserved as an example of its class, species, etc
4. informal.
   a person

Word History and Origins

Origin of specimen¹

1600–10; < Latin: mark, example, indication, sign, equivalent to speci-, stem of specere to look, regard + -men noun suffix denoting result or means

Word History and Origins

Origin of specimen¹

C17: from Latin: mark, evidence, proof, from specere to look at

Synonym Study

See example.

Example Sentences

The specimen is complete with nearly every single bone preserved and unusually, it is preserved in three dimensions, where most pterosaurs tend to be crushed flat.

From Science Daily

This specimen was found in deeper waters than some coral reefs, which may have protected it from higher temperatures at the sea surface.

From BBC

He's a big, strong physical specimen who scored an excellent goal but I like the whole way he conducts himself.

From BBC

In addition, she said, the county is working within the community to subtype flu specimens collected in health clinics and hospitals specimens “to see if there are potential H5N1 human cases.”

From Los Angeles Times

Scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London, are working to conserve trees across the world by collecting seeds and growing specimens in arboretums.

From BBC

Related Words

• copy
• exhibit
• variety