spectrum

spectrum
spec|trum [ˈspektrəm] n plural spectra [-trə]
[Date: 1800-1900; : Latin; Origin: 'something that appears, image', from specere 'to look (at)']
1.) a complete range of opinions, people, situations etc, going from one extreme to its opposite
spectrum of
the ethnic spectrum of America
across the spectrum
The bill drew support from across the political spectrum.
broad/wide/full etc spectrum
a broad spectrum of environmental groups
The two articles here represent opposite ends of the spectrum .
2.) the set of bands of coloured light into which a beam of light separates when it is passed through a ↑prism
3.) a complete range of radio, sound etc waves
the electromagnetic spectrum

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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  • Spectrum — Spec trum, n.; pl. {Spectra}. [L. See {Specter}.] 1. An apparition; a specter. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Spectrum 7 — was an oil company started by William DeWitt and Mercer Reynolds.In 1984, Spectrum 7 merged with George W. Bush s Arbusto Energy. After the merger, Bush became the Chairman and CEO of Spectrum 7.In 1986, after reporting a net loss of $1.5 million …   Wikipedia

  • spectrum — UK US /ˈspektrəm/ noun [C] ► a range of similar things: a spectrum of sth »A methodology will have to be developed to gradually cover the entire spectrum of technologies. »a wide/broad spectrum the economic/business/political spectrum »He has… …   Financial and business terms

  • spectrum — [spek′trəm] n. pl. spectra [spek′trə] or spectrums [ModL, special use (by NEWTON2 Sir Isaac, 1671) of L spectrum: see SPECTER] 1. the series of colored bands dispersed and arranged in the order of their respective wavelengths by the passage of… …   English World dictionary

  • Spectrum — puede referirse a: Sinclair ZX Spectrum, popular ordenador de 8 bits; The Spectrum, pabellón deportivo de la ciudad de Filadelfia. Esta página de desambiguación cataloga artículos relacionados con el mismo título. Si llegaste aquí a través de …   Wikipedia Español

  • spectrum — (n.) 1610s, apparition, specter, from L. spectrum appearance, image, apparition, from specere to look at, view (see SCOPE (Cf. scope) (1)). Meaning band of colors formed from a beam of light first recorded 1670s …   Etymology dictionary

  • spectrum — ► NOUN (pl. spectra) 1) a band of colours produced by separation of the components of light by their different degrees of refraction, e.g. in a rainbow. 2) the entire range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. 3) a characteristic series… …   English terms dictionary

  • Spectrum [1] — Spectrum (lat.), 1) Gestalt, Bild; 2) Gespenst; 3) (S. oculare), Augentäuschung (sd. 2); 4) eine begrenzte Stelle im Raume od. auf einer Fläche, in welcher Strahlen von verschiedener Brechbarkeit (beim Licht also von verschiedener Farbe) neben… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Spectrum [2] — Spectrum, 1) eine Art Zackenschwärmer; 2) so v.w. Gespenstheuschrecke …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Spectrum — Spectrum, lat., Bild, Gespenst; in der Physik eine begränzte Stelle in der Luft oder auf einer Fläche, auf der sich ein strahlendes Fluidum (Licht, Wärme) gleichsam abbildet …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • spectrum — has the plural form spectra …   Modern English usage

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