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| spec·trum [ spéktrəm ] (plural spec·tra [ spéktrə ] or spec·trums) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. distribution of colored light: a continuous distribution of colored light produced when a beam of white light is dispersed into its components, e.g. by a prism
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2. particular radiation frequency range: a range of radiation frequencies that have a particular property
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3. record of radiation wavelengths of substance: a visual record of the wavelengths of the radiation or particles emitted by a substance, used as a means of analyzing its physical properties such as energy and mass
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4. range of values: a range of values, especially one with opposite values at its limits
  a spectrum of opinions between the two extremes
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5. pharmacology range of drug targets: the range of organisms that an antibiotic can kill
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| [Late 19th century. < Latin, "image, apparition" < specere "look at"] |
