specula

Instruments for viewing

Specula is the plural of speculum, a medical instrument used to dilate body openings for examination—most commonly the vaginal speculum used in gynecological exams: The doctor reached for one of the specula on the tray.

The term also applies to reflective surfaces in telescopes.

The Latin plural specula coexists with the anglicized speculums.

medical

otoscope

Ear canal inspection instrument

gynecologyFemale reproductive medicine
proctoscopeRectal examination instrument
endoscopeInternal examination instrument

laryngoscope · ophthalmoscope · retractor · dilator · examination · diagnostic · surgical · vaginal · rectal · nasal

optical

mirror

Reflective viewing surface

reflectorLight-redirecting surface
lensLight-focusing curved glass
polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished

silvered · bronze · reflective · concave · parabolic · burnished · lustrous · gleaming · sheen · glint

architecture

watchtower

Elevated structure for surveillance

lookoutWatcher or vista point
observation towerElevated structure for viewing
turretProtruding fortified structure

parapet · battlement · rampart · belvedere · cupola · widow's walk · lighthouse · beacon · sentry post · guard tower

Opposites

medical instrument function

speculaprobes

Investigative examinations

occluders · needles · plugs · scalpels · sutures

examination method

speculablinders

Flaps limiting peripheral vision

obstructors

optical function

speculalenses

Curved transparent refractors

refractors · prisms · filters · absorbers · diffusers

Phrases

idle speculation
market speculationRisky investment based on predictions
speculative bubbleOvervalued assets awaiting collapse
speculative fictionGenre of imagined realities
land speculationBuying terrain for profit
land speculatorOne betting on property appreciation

Family

speculate, speculation, speculative, speculator, speculators, speculum, speculatively

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G