n.
Pronunciation: ' spes-m ə n, ' spe-s ə -
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, from specere to look at, look ― more at SPY
Date: 1610
1 a : an individual, item, or part considered typical of a group, class, or whole b : a portion or quantity of material for use in testing, examination, or study <a urine specimen >
2 a : something that obviously belongs to a particular category but is noticed by reason of an individual distinguishing characteristic b : PERSON , INDIVIDUAL <he's a tough specimen >
3 : a plant grown for exhibition or in the open to display its full development < specimen trees>
synonyms see INSTANCE