Adjacent Words

Spectrum definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

SPEC'TRUM, n. [L.] A visible form; an image of something seen, continuing after image of something seen, continuing after the eyes are closed, covered or turned away. This is called an ocular spectrum.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: an ordered array of the components of an emission or wave
2: a broad range of related objects or values or qualities or ideas or activities

Merriam Webster's

noun (plural spectra or spectrums) Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, appearance — more at specter Date: 1671 1. a. a continuum of color formed when a beam of white light is dispersed (as by passage through a prism) so that its component wavelengths are arranged in order b. any of various continua that resemble a color spectrum in consisting of an ordered arrangement by a particular characteristic (as frequency or energy): as (1) electromagnetic spectrum (2) radio spectrum (3) the range of frequencies of sound waves (4) mass spectrum c. the representation (as a plot) of a spectrum 2. a. a continuous sequence or range <a wide spectrum of interests> <opposite ends of the political spectrum> b. kinds of organisms associated with a particular situation (as an environment) c. a range of effectiveness against pathogenic organisms <an antibiotic with a broad spectrum>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. (pl. spectra) 1 the band of colours, as seen in a rainbow etc., arranged in a progressive series according to their refrangibility or wavelength. 2 the entire range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. 3 a an image or distribution of parts of electromagnetic radiation arranged in a progressive series according to wavelength. b this as characteristic of a body or substance when emitting or absorbing radiation. 4 a similar image or distribution of energy, mass, etc., arranged according to frequency, charge, etc. 5 the entire range or a wide range of anything arranged by degree or quality etc. 6 (in full ocular spectrum) an after-image. Phrases and idioms: spectrum (or spectral) analysis chemical analysis by means of a spectroscope. Etymology: L, = image, apparition f. specere look

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Spectrum Spec"trum, n.; pl. Spectra. [L. See Specter.] 1. An apparition; a specter. [Obs.] 2. (Opt.) (a) The several colored and other rays of which light is composed, separated by the refraction of a prism or other means, and observed or studied either as spread out on a screen, by direct vision, by photography, or otherwise. See Illust. of Light, and Spectroscope. (b) A luminous appearance, or an image seen after the eye has been exposed to an intense light or a strongly illuminated object. When the object is colored, the image appears of the complementary color, as a green image seen after viewing a red wafer lying on white paper. Called also ocular spectrum. Absorption spectrum, the spectrum of light which has passed through a medium capable of absorbing a portion of the rays. It is characterized by dark spaces, bands, or lines. Chemical spectrum, a spectrum of rays considered solely with reference to their chemical effects, as in photography. These, in the usual photogrophic methods, have their maximum influence at and beyond the violet rays, but are not limited to this region. Chromatic spectrum, the visible colored rays of the solar spectrum, exhibiting the seven principal colors in their order, and covering the central and larger portion of the space of the whole spectrum. Continous spectrum, a spectrum not broken by bands or lines, but having the colors shaded into each other continously, as that from an incandescent solid or liquid, or a gas under high pressure. Diffraction spectrum, a spectrum produced by diffraction, as by a grating. Gaseous spectrum, the spectrum of an incandesoent gas or vapor, under moderate, or especially under very low, pressure. It is characterized by bright bands or lines. Normal spectrum, a representation of a spectrum arranged upon conventional plan adopted as standard, especially a spectrum in which the colors are spaced proportionally to their wave lengths, as when formed by a diffraction grating. Ocular spectrum. See Spectrum, 2 (b), above. Prismatic spectrum, a spectrum produced by means of a prism. Solar spectrum, the spectrum of solar light, especially as thrown upon a screen in a darkened room. It is characterized by numerous dark lines called Fraunhofer lines. Spectrum analysis, chemical analysis effected by comparison of the different relative positions and qualities of the fixed lines of spectra produced by flames in which different substances are burned or evaporated, each substance having its own characteristic system of lines. Thermal spectrum, a spectrum of rays considered solely with reference to their heating effect, especially of those rays which produce no luminous phenomena.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(spectra, or spectrums) 1. The spectrum is the range of different colours which is produced when light passes through a glass prism or through a drop of water. A rainbow shows the colours in the spectrum. N-SING: the N 2. A spectrum is a range of a particular type of thing. Politicians across the political spectrum have denounced the act... The term 'special needs' covers a wide spectrum of problems. N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp 3. A spectrum is a range of light waves or radio waves within particular frequencies. Vast amounts of energy, from X-rays right through the spectrum down to radio waves, are escaping into space... N-COUNT

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Image, appearance, representation.

Moby Thesaurus

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