pertaining to or having the properties of a mirror.
2.
pertaining to a speculum.
3.
Optics. (of reflected light) directed, as from a smooth, polished surface (opposed to diffuse).
Origin
1570-80; < Latinspeculāris, equivalent to specul(um) a mirror (spec(ere) to look, regard + -ulum instrumental suffix; see -ule) + -āris-ar1
Related forms
specularly, adverb
Examples from the web for specular
It is possible to set the ambient, diffuse and specular colors separately.
Standards for optical properties of specular glazing materials are well established.
Independent movement of both sample and detector allows measurement of off-specular scattering.
Initial hemispherical and specular reflectivity was low due to a vacuum problem during the manufacturing process.
British Dictionary definitions for specular
specular
/ˈspɛkjʊlə/
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or having the properties of a mirror: specular reflection
2.
of or relating to a speculum
Derived Forms
specularly, adverb
Word Origin
C16: from Latin speculāris, from speculum a mirror, from specere to look at
Word Origin and History for specular
adj.
1570s, of mirrors and glass, from Latin specularis, from speculum (see speculum). Of sight or vision, from 1650s, from Latin speculari "to spy" (see speculation).