speculum

[spek-yuh-luh m] /ˈspɛk yə ləm/
noun, plural specula
[spek-yuh-luh] /ˈspɛk yə lə/ (Show IPA), speculums.
1.
a mirror or reflector, especially one of polished metal, as on a reflecting telescope.
2.
speculum metal.
3.
Surgery. an instrument for rendering a part accessible to observation, as by enlarging an orifice.
4.
Ornithology. a lustrous or specially colored area on the wings of certain birds.
Origin
1590-1600; < Latin: mirror, equivalent to spec(ere) to look, behold + -ulum instrumental suffix; see -ule
Examples from the web for speculum
  • The interior of the meatus can be examined through a speculum.
  • The speculum exam will then be completed according to usual procedures.
  • Mallards have white wing bars on both edges of the blue speculum.
  • True dabbling ducks have an iridescent patch, called a speculum, on the trailing edge of their secondary feathers.
British Dictionary definitions for speculum

speculum

/ˈspɛkjʊləm/
noun (pl) -la (-lə), -lums
1.
a mirror, esp one made of polished metal for use in a telescope, etc
2.
(med) an instrument for dilating a bodily cavity or passage to permit examination of its interior
3.
a patch of distinctive colour on the wing of a bird, esp in certain ducks
Word Origin
C16: from Latin: mirror, from specere to look at
Word Origin and History for speculum
n.

1590s, from Latin speculum, literally "mirror," from specere "to look at, view" (see scope (n.1)).

speculum in Medicine

speculum spec·u·lum (spěk'yə-ləm)
n. pl. spec·u·lums or spec·u·la (-lə)

  1. A mirror or polished metal plate that is used as a reflector in optical instruments.

  2. An instrument that is used to dilate the opening of a body cavity for medical examination.