What (who) is Spectrum - definition

CONTINUOUS RANGE OF VALUES, SUCH AS WAVELENGTHS IN PHYSICS

Energy spectrum; Spectracular; Energy spectra; Spectroscopic observations; Spectral density (physical science); Spectrum of disease; Spectrum (physics)

spectrum

n. a broad, wide spectrum

Spectrum

ZX Spectrum

spectrum

¦ noun (plural spectra -tr?)

1. a band of colours produced by separation of the components of light by their different degrees of refraction according to wavelength, e.g. in a rainbow.

the entire range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

a characteristic series of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by a substance.

the components of a sound or other phenomenon arranged according to frequency, energy, etc.

2. a scale extending between two points; a range: the political spectrum.

Origin

C17 (in the sense 'spectre'): from L., lit. 'image, apparition', from specere 'to look'.

Wikipedia

Spectrum

[[Image:Rainbow above Kaviskis Lake, Lithuania.jpg|thumb|The spectrum in a rainbow

A spectrum (plural spectra or spectrums) is a condition that is not limited to a specific set of values but can vary, without gaps, across a continuum. The word was first used scientifically in optics to describe the rainbow of colors in visible light after passing through a prism. As scientific understanding of light advanced, it came to apply to the entire electromagnetic spectrum. It thereby became a mapping of a range of magnitudes (wavelengths) to a range of qualities, which are the perceived "colors of the rainbow" and other properties which correspond to wavelengths that lie outside of the visible light spectrum.

Spectrum has since been applied by analogy to topics outside optics. Thus, one might talk about the "spectrum of political opinion", or the "spectrum of activity" of a drug, or the "autism spectrum". In these uses, values within a spectrum may not be associated with precisely quantifiable numbers or definitions. Such uses imply a broad range of conditions or behaviors grouped together and studied under a single title for ease of discussion. Nonscientific uses of the term spectrum are sometimes misleading. For instance, a single left–right spectrum of political opinion does not capture the full range of people's political beliefs. Political scientists use a variety of biaxial and multiaxial systems to more accurately characterize political opinion.

In most modern usages of spectrum there is a unifying theme between the extremes at either end. This was not always true in older usage.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectrum

Pronunciation examples for Spectrum

1. spectrum.

Gym-timidation - How to Overcome It _ Roz Mays _ Talks at Google

2. spectrum.

Quiet _ Susan Cain _ Talks at Google

3. spectrum.

Quiet _ Susan Cain _ Talks at Google

4. spectrum,

Ukulele Virtuoso _ Jake Shimabukuro _ Talks at Google

5. spectrum.

Johnson _ Talks at Google

Examples of use of Spectrum

1. Qualified applicants who have bid for the spectrum will now go through the Spectrum Assignment Process.

2. He said subscriber–based criteria has been adopted for spectrum allotment to ensure efficient and optimal utilisation of available spectrum.

3. Some children with ADHD are also on the autistic spectrum, so may be statemented under the autistic spectrum category.

4. That shift occurred across the political spectrum.

5. But we also are capable –– the United States is capable –– of working across the political spectrum with responsible governments from across the political spectrum.