Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
- n. Physics The distribution of a characteristic of a physical system or phenomenon, especially:
- n. Physics The distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, as by an incandescent body, arranged in order of wavelengths.
- n. Physics The distribution of atomic or subatomic particles in a system, as in a magnetically resolved molecular beam, arranged in order of masses.
- n. A graphic or photographic representation of such a distribution.
- n. A range of values of a quantity or set of related quantities.
- n. A broad sequence or range of related qualities, ideas, or activities: the whole spectrum of 20th-century thought.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
- n. A range; a continuous, infinite, one-dimensional set, possibly bounded by extremes.
- n. The pattern of absorption or emission of radiation produced by a substance when subjected to energy (radiation, heat, electricity, etc.).
- n. The set of eigenvalues of a matrix.
- n. Of a bounded linear operator A, the set of scalar values λ such that the operator A—λI, where I denotes the identity operator, does not have a bounded inverse; intended as a generalisation of the linear algebra sense.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
- n. An apparition; a specter.
- n.
- n. The several colored and other rays of which light is composed, separated by the refraction of a prism or other means, and observed or studied either as spread out on a screen, by direct vision, by photography, or otherwise. See Illust. of Light, and Spectroscope.
- n. A luminous appearance, or an image seen after the eye has been exposed to an intense light or a strongly illuminated object. When the object is colored, the image appears of the complementary color, as a green image seen after viewing a red wafer lying on white paper. Called also ocular spectrum.
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. A specter; a ghostly phantom.
- n. An image of something seen, continuing after the eyes are closed, covered, or turned away.
- n. In physics, the continuous band of light (visible spectrum) showing the successive prismatic colors, or the isolated lines or bands of color, observed when the radiation from such a source as the sun, or an ignited vapor in a gas-flame, is viewed after having been passed through a prism (prismatic spectrum) or reflected from a diffraction-grating (diffraction- or interference-spectrum).
- n. In zoology, a generic name variously used:
- n. A genus of lepidopterous insects.
- n. A genus of gressorial orthopterous insects: same as
- n. A genus of lemuroid mammals: same as
- n. The specific name of some animals, including Tarsius spectrum and Phyllostoma spectrum.
- n. That portion, of any spectrum, which consists of rays less refrangible than the longest wave-lengths of the visible spectrum.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- n. an ordered array of the components of an emission or wave
- n. a broad range of related objects or values or qualities or ideas or activities
Etymologies
Examples
-
The Supreme Court has distinguished the regulation of radio spectrum from the regulation of printing presses, and applied more lenient scrutiny to the regulation of spectrum, based on its conclusion that the spectrum is unusually scarce.
-
But the carriers have adopted the phrase "spectrum crunch," designed to make vivid the pain of a hypothetical moment when there are more data than the available spectrum can handle.
-
Across the spectrum is a widespread feeling that Washington is broken almost beyond repair.
Across the country, anger, frustration and fear among voters as election nears
-
On the other side of the spectrum is the phenomenon of modern yoga, which in many ways is at the heart of the culture of western spiritual individualism, in which any pre-requisites -- such as finding God through Jesus -- fall to the wayside in favor of a self-prescribed spirituality catered to individual tastes.
-
On the other end of the spectrum is the New York based world class interior designer who is donating his services along with some supplies to help brighten homeless shelters and provide a more uplifting environment for those currently in need.
Russell Bishop: Are You Part of the Solution or Part of the Problem?
-
At the other end of a spectrum is a faction of independent-minded conservatives, all of whom cruised to reelection Tuesday.
Republicans make gains in Senate, but Democrats hold on to slim majority
-
Literally on the opposite end of the spectrum is the family-friendly Disney comedy "Old Dogs."
‘Ninja Assassin’ Lets The Shurikens Fly In This Week’s Box Office Poll » MTV Movies Blog
-
Thankfully there are aggregators in the middle like VPB and BNN to show both sides, but creating tailor lists to either end of the spectrum is a natural occurance.
-
At the lowest end of the spectrum is the possibility of a kick A** virtual easter egg hunt.
EXTRALIFE – By Scott Johnson - This demonstration made me a little giddy.
-
At the other end of the spectrum is a strategy of denouncing questions as illegitimate or politically motivated, disclosing little information, and hoping the storm will pass.
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.