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Definition of Spectrum
1. Noun. An ordered array of the components of an emission or wave.
Generic synonyms: Array
Specialized synonyms: Absorption Spectrum, Action Spectrum, Atomic Spectrum, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Emission Spectrum, Infrared Spectrum, Line Spectrum, Mass Spectrum, Microwave Spectrum, Radio Spectrum, Radio-frequency Spectrum, Acoustic Spectrum, Sound Spectrum, Ultraviolet Spectrum, Color Spectrum, Visible Spectrum
Derivative terms: Spectral
2. Noun. A broad range of related objects or values or qualities or ideas or activities.
Definition of Spectrum
1. n. An apparition; a specter.
Definition of Spectrum
1. Noun. Specter, apparition. (defdate from early 17th c.) ¹
2. Noun. A range; a continuous, infinite, one-dimensional set, possibly bounded by extremes. ¹
3. Noun. Specifically, a range of colours representing light (electromagnetic radiation) of contiguous frequencies; hence electromagnetic spectrum, visible spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, etc. (defdate from later 17th c.) ¹
4. Noun. (chemistry) The pattern of absorption or emission of radiation produced by a substance when subjected to energy (radiation, heat, electricity, etc.). ¹
5. Noun. (mathematics linear algebra) The set of eigenvalues of a matrix. ¹
6. Noun. (mathematics functional analysis) Of a bounded linear operator ''A'', the set of scalar values ? such that the operator ''A—?I'', where ''I'' denotes the identity operator, does not have a bounded inverse; intended as a generalisation of the linear algebra sense. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Spectrum
1. an array of the components of a light wave [n -TRA or -TRUMS]
Medical Definition of Spectrum
1. A charted band of wavelengths of electromagnetic vibrations obtained by refraction and diffraction. By extension, a measurable range of activity, such as the range of bacteria affected by an antibiotic (antibacterial spectrum) or the complete range of manifestations of a disease. This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Spectrum
Literary usage of Spectrum
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Journal of the American Chemical Society by American Chemical Society (1879)
"The potassium salt of II shows somewhat greater thermal stability and its spectrum
can be recorded up to +40° before appreciable decomposition occurs. ..."
2. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London by Royal Society (Great Britain) (1894)
"Estimates of the brightness of the lines in relation to the continuous spectrum
have been made independently by four of my assistants, and, ..."
3. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1918)
"By setting the second slit on a certain line of the spectrum it was possible to
... The dark Fraunhofer lines of the solar spectrum arc caused by the ..."
4. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1920)
"Let us suppose that the lines in the spectrum of a certain body have been analyzed
and recorded, it may be only for the moment on the retina of the eye, ..."
5. Annals of the Astronomical Observatory of Harvard Collegeby Harvard College Observatory by Harvard College Observatory (1921)
"on a spectrum plate taken on July 10, 1893. The spectrum consisted of bright and
dark bands and resembled that of Nova Aurigae in February, 1892. ..."
6. The Popular Science Monthly by Harry Houdini Collection (Library of Congress) (1888)
"In comparing, with the same spectroscope, the spectrum of the electric arc and
the solar spectrum, we observe that the former spectrum displays a more ..."
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