spectrum
English meaning: Spectrum
Definition
A range; a continuous, infinite, one-dimensional set, possibly bounded by extremes.
Example
“A prism splits white light into the full spectrum of colours.”
Another example: “Voters across the political spectrum welcomed the tax cut.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A formal-to-technical noun. Literally a band of colours (the rainbow) or frequencies (physics, radio); figuratively a full range of things ('the political spectrum'). 'On the spectrum' is now common shorthand for the autism spectrum. Plural 'spectra' in science.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'spectrum' (appearance, apparition), from 'specere' (to look); Newton applied it to the band of colours in the 1670s.
Synonyms
- range
- scale
- gamut
- continuum
Related Words
- analyzer
- spectra
- ghz
- spectral
- luminosity
- wavelength
- ultraviolet
- absorption
- commodore
- infrared
Common Collocations
- broad spectrum
- political spectrum
- across the spectrum
- electromagnetic spectrum
- color spectrum
- autism spectrum
Word Forms
spectrum (n); spectra/spectrums (pl); spectral (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B