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Definition of specimen noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

specimen

noun
 
/ˈspesɪmən/
 
/ˈspesɪmən/
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  1. a small amount of something that shows what the rest of it is like synonym sample
    • Astronauts have brought back specimens of rock from the moon.
    • Can you give me a specimen of your handwriting?
    Collocations Scientific researchScientific researchTheory
    • formulate/​advance a theory/​hypothesis
    • build/​construct/​create/​develop a simple/​theoretical/​mathematical model
    • develop/​establish/​provide/​use a theoretical/​conceptual framework
    • advance/​argue/​develop the thesis that…
    • explore an idea/​a concept/​a hypothesis
    • make a prediction/​an inference
    • base a prediction/​your calculations on something
    • investigate/​evaluate/​accept/​challenge/​reject a theory/​hypothesis/​model
    Experiment
    • design an experiment/​a questionnaire/​a study/​a test
    • do research/​an experiment/​an analysis
    • make observations/​measurements/​calculations
    • carry out/​conduct/​perform an experiment/​a test/​a longitudinal study/​observations/​clinical trials
    • run an experiment/​a simulation/​clinical trials
    • repeat an experiment/​a test/​an analysis
    • replicate a study/​the results/​the findings
    • observe/​study/​examine/​investigate/​assess a pattern/​a process/​a behaviour
    • fund/​support the research/​project/​study
    • seek/​provide/​get/​secure funding for research
    Results
    • collect/​gather/​extract data/​information
    • yield data/​evidence/​similar findings/​the same results
    • analyse/​examine the data/​soil samples/​a specimen
    • consider/​compare/​interpret the results/​findings
    • fit the data/​model
    • confirm/​support/​verify a prediction/​a hypothesis/​the results/​the findings
    • prove a conjecture/​hypothesis/​theorem
    • draw/​make/​reach the same conclusions
    • read/​review the records/​literature
    • describe/​report an experiment/​a study
    • present/​publish/​summarize the results/​findings
    • present/​publish/​read/​review/​cite a paper in a scientific journal
  2. a single example of something, especially an animal or a plant
    • The aquarium has some interesting specimens of unusual tropical fish.
    • Redwood trees can live for a long time; one specimen is 4 000 years old.
    • (humorous) They were fine specimens of British youth!
    Synonyms exampleexamplecase instance specimen illustrationThese are all words for a thing or situation that is typical of a particular group or set, and is sometimes used to support an argument.example something such as an object, a fact or a situation that shows, explains or supports what you say; a thing that is typical of or represents a particular group or set:
    • Can you give me an example of what you mean?
    case a particular situation or a situation of a particular type; a situation that relates to a particular person or thing:
    • In some cases people have had to wait several weeks for an appointment.
    instance (rather formal) a particular situation or a situation of a particular type:
    • The report highlights a number of instances of injustice.
    specimen an example of something, especially an animal or plant:
    • The aquarium has some interesting specimens of unusual tropical fish.
    illustration (rather formal) a story, an event or an example that clearly shows the truth about something:
    • The statistics are a clear illustration of the point I am trying to make.
    example or illustration?An illustration is often used to show that something is true. An example is used to help to explain something.Patterns
    • a(n) example/​case/​instance/​specimen/​illustration of something
    • in a particular case/​instance
    • for example/​instance
    Extra Examples
    • This is a fine specimen of a walnut tree.
    • specimen exam papers
    • well-preserved specimens of Homo erectus
    Topics Biologyc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • large
    • small
    • beautiful
    verb + specimen
    • find
    specimen + noun
    • plant
    • tree
    See full entry
  3. a small quantity of blood, urine, etc. that is taken from somebody and tested by a doctor
    • to provide/take a specimen
    Extra Examples
    • The motorist may be required to give a urine specimen.
    • a specimen of blood
    Topics Healthcarec1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • blood
    • urine
    • etc.
    verb + specimen
    • collect
    • take
    • give
    See full entry
  4. Word Originearly 17th cent. (in the sense ‘pattern, model’): from Latin, from specere ‘to look’.
See specimen in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee specimen in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English

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