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  3. /spectr

spectr

Latin

ghost, phantom, spectrum

Variants:spectrspectre
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About This Root

From Latin spectrum (an appearance, image, apparition), from specere (to look at). Originally meant a ghostly vision (specter, spectral). Newton adopted spectrum for the band of colors produced by a prism — what you 'see' when light is split. This scientific sense now dominates: electromagnetic spectrum, spectral analysis, broad-spectrum.

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Associated Words · 3

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spectral

Ghostly or phantom-like; relating to a spectrum

specter

A ghost or phantom; a threatening or haunting prospect

spectra

Plural of spectrum; ranges of electromagnetic radiation or ordered components