speculum

noun

spec·​u·​lum ˈspe-kyə-ləm How to pronounce speculum (audio)
plural specula ˈspe-kyə-lə How to pronounce speculum (audio) also speculums
1
: an instrument inserted into a body passage especially to facilitate visual inspection or medication
2
: a drawing or table showing the relative positions of all the planets (as in an astrological nativity)
3
: a patch of color on the secondaries of most ducks and some other birds

Examples of speculum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Then, a small speculum gently holds the patient's eyes open. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Former colleagues had questioned his methods of pelvic exams, specifically, his practice of digital insertion before using a speculum. CBS News, 5 Oct. 2023 Heier held May’s left eye open with the tongs of a metal speculum, gave her antiseptic and numbing eye drops, and then pressed on her eye with a Q-tip for 30 seconds to decompress it before deftly injecting the drug. Ryan Cross, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Mar. 2023 When Steven Williams, MD, was a plastic surgery resident in the early 2000s, nose job essentials included a scalpel, a nasal speculum, and a mold depicting the size and shape the post-surgery nose should be. Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 22 Mar. 2023 Another wears a tiara created out of a speculum—a device Sims invented for vaginal exams. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 May 2022 Some said the doctor did not use a speculum or gloves during exams. Becky Jacobs, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 May 2022 The classification attributed to this size speculum is an historic [sic] name and used industry-wide in and outside the UK. Sophia Smith Galer, refinery29.com, 13 Apr. 2022 The classification attributed to this size speculum is a historic name and used industry-wide in and outside the UK. Sophia Smith Galer, refinery29.com, 11 Apr. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'speculum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, mirror, from specere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of speculum was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near speculum

Cite this Entry

“Speculum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculum. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

speculum

noun
spec·​u·​lum ˈspek-yə-ləm How to pronounce speculum (audio)
plural specula -lə How to pronounce speculum (audio) also speculums
: an instrument that is inserted into a bodily passage in order to help in inspection or the giving of medicine

Medical Definition

speculum

noun
spec·​u·​lum ˈspek-yə-ləm How to pronounce speculum (audio)
plural specula -lə How to pronounce speculum (audio) also speculums
: any of various instruments for insertion into a body passage to facilitate visual inspection or medication
a vaginal speculum
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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