specimen
noun/ˈspɛsɪmɪn/
Etymology From Latin specimen (“mark, sign, example”), from speciō (“observe, watch”).
1
An individual instance that represents a class; an example.
- early specimens of the art of Picasso
- a specimen of my own handwriting
2 more examples
- "You're a nice specimen for a clergyman," he said at length, "with your preachin" an" your psalm-singin', an" your Sunday coat on."1913, Norman Lindsay, A Curate in Bohemia, Sydney: N.S.W. Bookstall Co., published 1932, page 34:
- To assure a defendant's acquittal, a lawyer usually needed only to convince the jury that the victim was a pretty sorry specimen of a human being.2006, Bill Neal, Getting Away with Murder on the Texas Frontier:
2
Hobbies, Lifestyle, Numismatics A banknote printed for distribution to central banks to aid in the recognition of banknotes from a country other than their own
3
Hobbies, Lifestyle, Philately A postage stamp sent to postmasters and postal administrations so that they are able to identify valid stamps and to avoid forgeries
4
Derogatory An unpleasant or contemptible person.
- such a loathsome specimen of humanity
5
A sample, especially one used for diagnostic analysis.
6
Humorous An eligible man.
Often preceded with “fine”
- Synonyms
- sample, individual
- Derived terms
- biospecimen, interspecimen, intraspecimen, multispecimen, speciman, specimen bag, specimenize, specimen signature, type specimen
- Related terms
- species