Specter bat (Zoöl.), any phyllostome bat. -- Specter candle (Zoöl.), a
belemnite. -- Specter shrimp (Zoöl.), a skeleton shrimp. See under
Skeleton.
Spec`tion*eer" (?), n. Same as Specsioneer.
Spec"tral (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to a specter; ghosty.
He that feels timid at the spectral form of evil is not the man to
spread light.
F. W. Robertson.
2. (Opt.) Of or pertaining to the spectrum; made by the spectrum; as,
spectral colors; spectral analysis.
Spectral lemur. (Zoöl.) See Tarsius.
Spec"tral*ly, adv. In the form or manner of a specter.
Spec"tre (?), n. See Specter.
Spec`tro*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to spectrology; as,
spectrological studies or experiments. -- Spec`tro*log"ic*al*ly, adv.
Spec*trol"o*gy (?), n. [Spectrum + -logy.] (Chem.Phys.) The science of
spectrum analysis in any or all of its relations and applications.
Spec*trom"e*ter (?), n. [Spectrum + -meter.] (Physics) A spectroscope
fitted for measurements of the luminious spectra observed with it.
Spec`tro*pho*tom"e*ter (?), n. [Spectrum + photometer.] (Opt.) An
instrument for measuring or comparing the intensites of the colors of
the spectrum.
Spec"tro*scope (?), n. [Spectrum + -scope.] (Physics) An optical
instrument for forming and examining spectra (as that of solar light,
or those produced by flames in which different substances are
volatilized), so as to determine, from the position of the spectral
lines, the composition of the substance.
{ Spec`tro*scop"ic (?), Spec`tro*scop"ic*al (?) }, a. Of or pertaining
to a spectroscope, or spectroscopy. -- Spec`tro*scop"ic*al*ly, adv.
Spec*tros"co*pist (? or ?), n. One who investigates by means of a
spectroscope; one skilled in the use of the spectroscope.
Spec*tros"co*py (?), n. The use of the spectroscope; investigations
made with the spectroscope.
Spec"trum (?), n.; pl. Spectra (#). [L. See Specter.] 1. An apparition;
a specter. [Obs.]
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 or studied either as spread out on a screen, by direct vision,
by photography, or otherwise. See Illust. of Light, and Spectroscope.
(b) A luminous appearance, or an image seen after the eye has been
exposed to an intense light or a strongly illuminated object. When the
object is colored, the image appears of the complementary color, as a
green image seen after viewing a red wafer lying on white paper. Called
also ocular spectrum.
Absorption spectrum, the spectrum of light which has passed through a
medium capable of absorbing a portion of the rays. It is characterized
by dark spaces, bands, or lines. -- Chemical spectrum, a spectrum of
rays considered solely with reference to their chemical effects, as in
photography. These, in the usual photogrophic methods, have their
maximum influence at and beyond the violet rays, but are not limited to
this region. -- Chromatic spectrum, the visible colored rays of the
solar spectrum, exhibiting the seven principal colors in their order,
and covering the central and larger portion of the space of the whole
spectrum. -- Continous spectrum, a spectrum not broken by bands or
lines, but having the colors shaded into each other continously, as
that from an incandescent solid or liquid, or a gas under high
pressure. -- Diffraction spectrum, a spectrum produced by diffraction,
as by a grating. -- Gaseous spectrum, the spectrum of an incandesoent
gas or vapor, under moderate, or especially under very low, pressure.
It is characterized by bright bands or lines. -- Normal spectrum, a
representation of a spectrum arranged upon conventional plan adopted as
standard, especially a spectrum in which the colors are spaced
proportionally to their wave lengths, as when formed by a diffraction
grating. -- Ocular spectrum. See Spectrum, 2 (b), above. -- Prismatic
spectrum, a spectrum produced by means of a prism. -- Solar spectrum,
the spectrum of solar light, especially as thrown upon a screen in a
darkened room. It is characterized by numerous dark lines called
Fraunhofer lines. -- Spectrum analysis, chemical analysis effected by
comparison of the different relative positions and qualities of the
fixed lines of spectra produced by flames in which different substances
are burned or evaporated, each substance having its own characteristic
system of lines. -- Thermal spectrum, a spectrum of rays considered
solely with reference to their heating effect, especially of those rays
which produce no luminous phenomena.
Spec"u*lar (?), a. [L. specularis (cf., from the same root, specula a
lookout, watchtower): cf. F. spéculaire. See Speculum.] 1. Having the
qualities of a speculum, or mirror; having a smooth, reflecting
surface; as, a specular metal; a specular surface.
2. (Med.) Of or pertaining to a speculum; conducted with the aid of a
speculum; as, a specular examination.