Specimen
/ˈspɛs.ɪ.mən/noun
A sample or example used for examination or study.
Did you know?Specimen comes from Latin *specīmen*, linked to *specere* “to look,” the same ancient root behind words tied to vision, spectacle, and inspection—language literally built around seeing as a form of power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*spek-
“to look, observe, behold”
Latin
Latin
specere
“to look at, behold”
Latin
Latin
specīmen
“a sight, appearance, example, token; something seen as evidence”
Late Latin / Old French
Latin / Old French
specimen
“a sample or example for inspection”
Modern English
English
specimen
“a sample used for examination or study”