spectrum
A range; a continuous, infinite, one-dimensional set, possibly bounded by extremes.
Noun 4 meanings
A range; a continuous, infinite, one-dimensional set, possibly bounded by extremes.
“Near-synonyms: sliding scale, continuum”
Specifically, a range of colours representing light (electromagnetic radiation) of contiguous frequencies; hence electromagnetic spectrum, visible spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, etc.
The autism spectrum.
A set of frequencies that are used for radio-frequency communication; not necessarily a continuous range.
Etymology
From Latin spectrum (“appearance, image, apparition”), from speciō (“look at, view”). Doublet of specter. See also scope.
Similar and opposite words
SPECTRUM at a glance
SPECTRUM has 8 letters and scores 14 points in Scrabble (S 1 + P 3 + E 1 + C 3 + T 1 + R 1 + U 1 + M 3) and 18 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #4,548 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with spectrum
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