| specimen interaction | <microscopy> Reactions that occur inside the specimen when being struck with a beam of energetic electrons or ions. (05 Aug 1998) |
|---|---|
| specimen interaction volume | <microscopy> The volume inside the specimen in which all specimen interactions occur during electron beam irradiation. (05 Aug 1998) |
| specimen screen | <microscopy> A disk of fine screen, usually 200-mesh stainless steel, copper, or nickel, which supports the replica or specimen support film for observation in the microscope. (05 Aug 1998) |
| specimen stage | <microscopy> The part of the microscope which supports the specimen holder and specimen in the microscope, and can be moved in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis from outside the column. (05 Aug 1998) |
| specious | 1. Presenting a pleasing appearance; pleasing in form or look; showy. "Some [serpents] specious and beautiful to the eye." (Bp. Richardson) "The rest, far greater part, Will deem in outward rites and specious forms Religion satisfied." (Milton) 2. Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct, but not so in reality; appearing well at first view; plausible; as, specious reasoning; a specious argument. "Misled for a moment by the specious names of religion, liberty, and property." (Macaulay) "In consequence of their greater command of specious expression." (J. Morley) Synonym: Plausible, showy, ostensible, colourable, feasible. See Plausible. Spe"xiously, Spe"ciousness. Origin: L. Speciosusgood-looking, beautiful, specious, fr. Species look, show, appearance; cf. F. Specoeux. See Species. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| speck | 1. A small discoloured place in or on anything, or a small place of a colour different from that of the main substance; a spot; a stain; a blemish; as, a speck on paper or loth; specks of decay in fruit. "Gray sand, with black specks." 2. A very small thing; a particle; a mite; as, specks of dust; he has not a speck of money. "Many bright specks bubble up along the blue Egean." (Landor) 3. <zoology> A small etheostomoid fish (Ulocentra stigmaea) common in the Eastern United States. Origin: OE. Spekke, AS. Specca; cf. LG. Spaak. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| speck finger | An infection caused by erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae that is almost wholly restricted to persons who in their occupation handle infected fish, shellfish, poultry, or meat. Three forms of this condition exist: a mild localised form manifested by local swelling and redness of the skin; a diffuse form that might present with fever; and a rare systemic form associated with endocarditis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| speckled | Marked or variegated with small spots of a different colour from that of the rest of the surface. <ethnology> Speckled Indians, the Pintos. Speckled trout. <zoology> The common American brook trout. See Trout. The rainbow trout. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| speckled-belly | <zoology> The gadwall. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| speckled-bill | <zoology> The American white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons). Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| speckt | A woodpecker. See Speight. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| specollum | <medicine> See Stylet. Origin: L. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| SPECT | <abbreviation> Single photon emission computed tomography. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spectacle | 1. Something exhibited to view; usually, something presented to view as extraordinary, or as unusual and worthy of special notice; a remarkable or noteworthy sight; a show; a pageant; a gazingstock. "O, piteous spectacle? O, bloody times!" (Shak) 2. A spy-glass; a looking-glass. "Poverty a spectacle is, as thinketh me, Through which he may his very friends see." (Chaucer) 3. An optical instrument consisting of two lenses set in a light frame, and worn to assist sight, to obviate some defect in the organs of vision, or to shield the eyes from bright light. 4. An aid to the intellectual sight. "Shakespeare . . . Needed not the spectacles of books to read nature." (Dryden) Synonym: Show, sight, exhibition, representation, pageant. Origin: F, fr. L. Spectaculum, fr. Spectare to look at, to behold, v. Intens. Fr. Specere. See Spy. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| spectacle eyes | A condition in rats caused by pantothenic acid deficiency, and possibly lack of inositol as well, in which a hairless ring of inflamed skin surrounds the eye's. (05 Mar 2000) |