Definition:
showing a complete range of typical or possible elements : comprehensive
Examples:
"Some of the soldiers assigned to posts near the Pakistan border, Dubie said, are engaged in what he called 'traditional full-spectrum combat operations.'" — Peter Hirschfeld, Vermont Press Bureau, Apr. 7, 2010
"Santorum is a full spectrum conservative with all the abilities that Mike Huckabee had in 2008." — Craig Robinson, TheIowaRepublican.com, Mar. 10, 2010
Submitted by:
T2, GA
Editor's Note:
As illustrated in the examples above, this term seems to have multiple meanings. These senses of full spectrum have probably evolved from the phrase full spectrum dominance that appeared in "Joint Vision 2020," a United States Department of Defense document released on May 30, 2000:
"The ultimate goal of our military force is to accomplish the objectives directed by the National Command Authorities. For the joint force of the future, this goal will be achieved through full spectrum dominance – the ability of US forces, operating unilaterally or in combination with multinational and interagency partners, to defeat any adversary and control any situation across the full range of military operations."
