Specimen Meaning and Definition
Specimen
Pronunciation
/ˈsɛkˈtɪmən/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A specimen is a representative sample or example of something, often used in science, medicine, and other fields to demonstrate or illustrate a particular phenomenon or characteristic.
Examples
- The scientist chose a specimen from the forest floor to study its unique ecosystem.
- The doctor examined the specimen under a microscope to diagnose the patient’s disease.
Synonyms
- Example
- Illustration
Antonyms
- Exception
- Fake
Etymology
The word “specimen” comes from the Latin word “specimen”, meaning “view” or “sight”, and was first used in the 16th century to describe a representative example or sample.
Usage Notes
Specimen is often used in scientific and medical contexts to refer to a representative sample of a particular type or group. It can also be used more broadly to refer to any example or illustration of something.
Cultural References
Specimen has been featured in popular culture, such as in the TV show “Dr.agnet” and in scientific and medical documentaries.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Specimen of” is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe something that is representative of a particular group or category.
Related Words or Phrases
- Example
- Illustration
- Case study
Collocations
- Specimen collection
- Specimen storage
- Specimen analysis
Frequency of Use
Specimen is moderately commonly used in scientific and medical contexts, but less commonly used in everyday language.
Common Misspellings
Specimen is often misspelled as “specimen”, “specimenum”, or “specimien”.