['sp?kj?l?m]
¦ noun (plural specula -l?)
1. Medicine a metal instrument that is used to dilate an orifice or canal in the body to allow inspection.
2. Ornithology a bright patch of plumage on the wings of certain birds, especially ducks.
3. a mirror or reflector, especially (formerly) a metallic mirror in a reflecting telescope.
Origin
ME: from L., lit. 'mirror', from specere 'to look'.