specular
UK /ˈspɛk.jʊ.lə/ · US /ˈspɛk.jə.lɚ/ adjective
- adjective Pertaining to mirrors; mirror-like, reflective.
- adjective (medicine) Of or relating to a speculum; conducted with the aid of a speculum. “a specular examination”
- adjective Assisting sight, like a lens etc.
- adjective (poetic) Offering an expansive view; picturesque.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Latin speculāris, from speculum; and in some senses from speculārī (“to watch, observe”). Some later senses via French spéculaire.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Having the qualities of a speculum, or mirror; having a smooth, reflecting surface; as, a specular metal; a specular surface.
- adjective Of or pertaining to a speculum; conducted with the aid of a speculum; as, a specular examination.
Etymology [L. specularis (cf., from the same root, specula a lookout, watchtower): cf. F. spéculaire. See Speculum.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “specular”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details