specimen — English Dictionary

Noun

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

   Examples

   early specimens of the art of Picasso

   a specimen of my own handwriting

   More examples (3)

   "You're a nice specimen for a clergyman," he said at length, "with your preachin" an" your psalm-singin', an" your Sunday coat on."

   It has been a common misinterpretation by both Marxists and anti-Marxists to suppose that he regarded human beings merely as specimens of social classes, and that the 'restoration of their species-essence' meant the annihilation of individuality or its reduction to a common social nature.

   To assure a defendant's acquittal, a lawyer usually needed only to convince the jury that the victim was a pretty sorry specimen of a human being.

2. An individual instance that represents a class; an example. A banknote printed for distribution to central banks to aid in the recognition of banknotes from a country other than their own

3. An individual instance that represents a class; an example. A postage stamp sent to postmasters and postal administrations so that they are able to identify valid stamps and to avoid forgeries

4. An individual instance that represents a class; an example. An unpleasant or contemptible person.

   Usage

   • Derogatory

   Examples

   such a loathsome specimen of humanity

5. A sample, especially one used for diagnostic analysis.

6. An eligible man.

   Usage

   • Humorous

Noun

1. an example regarded as typical of its class

   Broader terms

   exampleillustrationinstancerepresentative

2. a bit of tissue or blood or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes

   Broader terms

   sample

   Examples

   they collected a urine specimen for urinalysis