speculumnoun [ C ]
/ˈspek.jə.ləm//ˈspek.jə.ləm/plural specula or or speculumsspeculum noun [ C ] (MEDICAL INSTRUMENT)
specialized medical a metal instrument that is put into a long narrow part of the body in order to open it up so it can be examined:
An ear speculum may be used to look into the ear canal.
Speculums are used in smear tests.
More examples
- He picked up his speculum from a small metal tray and started his examination.
- The inside of your nose may need to be examined with a nasal speculum.
- The speculum keeps the walls of the vagina apart so that the cervix can be seen.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Medical & surgical equipment
- autoclave
- bedpan
- cardiograph
- catheterization
- catheterize
- colonoscope
- CPB
- depressor
- drip
- forceps
- iron lung
- MRI
- respirator
- scalpel
- stenting
- stomach pump
- thermometer
- tomography
- tongue depressor
- ultrasound
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speculum noun [ C ] (BRIGHT FEATHERS)
specialized biology an area of brightly coloured feathers on ducks and some other birds:
The brown duck has a distinctive large blue speculum.
More examples
- The Mallard has a bright blue-purple speculum.
- The size and colour of the speculum varies between species.
- It is smaller than a Mallard, with a shorter bill, more pointed tail, and a green speculum.
- In flight, both sexes flash deep-green specula.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Miscellaneous animal body parts
- -tailed
- back end
- blowhole
- brush
- claw
- collar
- dorsal
- hind
- hindquarters
- nipple
- pincer
- pseudopod
- stalk
- stinger
- tail
- teat
- udder
- vesicle
- wing
- winged
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