Etymology, English, Specimen

Etymology

From Latin specimen (“mark, sign, example”), from speciō (“observe, watch”), from Proto-Italic *spekjō, from Proto-Indo-European *spéḱyeti.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈspɛsɪmɪn/

Noun

specimen (plural specimens or (extremely rare) specimina)

1. An individual instance that represents a class; an example.

   early specimens of the art of Picasso

   1. (numismatics) A banknote printed for distribution to central banks to aid in the recognition of banknotes from a country other than their own
   2. (philately) A postage stamp sent to postmasters and postal administrations so that they are able to identify valid stamps and to avoid forgeries
2. A sample, especially one used for diagnostic analysis.
3. (humorous, often preceded with “fine”) An eligible man.