Main Entry: spec·i·men

Pronunciation: \ˈspes-mən, ˈspe-sə-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin, from specere to look at, look — more at spy

Date: 1610

1 a : an individual, item, or part considered typical of a group, class, or whole b : a portion or quantity of material for use in testing, examination, or study <a urine specimen>
2 a : something that obviously belongs to a particular category but is noticed by reason of an individual distinguishing characteristic b : person, individual <he's a tough specimen>
3 : a plant grown for exhibition or in the open to display its full development <specimen trees>

synonyms see instance