First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
speculum
noun spec·u·lum \ˈspe-kyə-ləm\
plural spec·u·la\-lə\ also spec·u·lums
Definition of SPECULUM
1
: an instrument inserted into a body passage especially to facilitate visual inspection or medication
2
: a drawing or table showing the relative positions of all the planets (as in an astrological nativity)
3
: a patch of color on the secondaries of most ducks and some other birds
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Origin of SPECULUM
Middle English, from Latin, mirror, from specere
Medical Dictionary
speculum
noun spec·u·lum \ˈspek-yə-ləm\
plural spec·u·la \-lə\ also spec·u·lums
Medical Definition of SPECULUM
: any of various instruments for insertion into a body passage to facilitate visual inspection or medication <a vaginal speculum>
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