*spectr*

n. A female inspector. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Physics, Chemistry) An analytical instrument which determines the mass of molecules of a substance or fragments of its molecules. It functions by injecting ionized moecules or molecular gragments into a vacuum chamber subjected to a strong magnetic field, in which charged particles move in a curved trajectory. The mass is determined by observing the path of the molecule after being charged and accelerated in a magnetic field. The path of the ionic fragment depends on the charge, velocity, and mass. Several techniques of charging and detection are employed. The mass information is usually used to infer structure or chemical composition of the substance analyzed. Variants of mass spectrometer called high-resolution mass spectrometer permit determination of the mass of a molecule or molecular fragment with sufficient precision to unambiguously determine the atomic composition. [ PJC ]

adj. of or pertaining to mass spectrometry; determined by mass spectrometry. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. (Physics, Chemistry) A method for identifying chemical composition of substances by use of a mass spectrometer. [ PJC ]

n. [ Micro- + spectroscope. ] (Physics) A spectroscope arranged for attachment to a microscope, for observation of the spectrum of light from minute portions of any substance. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Of or pertaining to a specter; ghosty. [ 1913 Webster ]

He that feels timid at the spectral form of evil is not the man to spread light. F. W. Robertson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Opt.) Of or pertaining to the spectrum; made by the spectrum; as, spectral colors; spectral analysis. [ 1913 Webster ]

Spectral lemur. (Zool.) See Tarsius. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In the form or manner of a specter. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ F. spectre, fr. L. spectrum an appearance, image, specter, fr. specere to look. See Spy, and cf. Spectrum. ] 1. Something preternaturally visible; an apparition; a ghost; a phantom. [ 1913 Webster ]

The ghosts of traitors from the bridge descend,
With bold fanatic specters to rejoice. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) (a) The tarsius. (b) A stick insect. [ 1913 Webster ]

Specter bat (Zool.), any phyllostome bat. --
Specter candle (Zool.), a belemnite. --
Specter shrimp (Zool.), a skeleton shrimp. See under Skeleton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Specter. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Physics) A combination of spectroscope and bolometer for determining the distribution of energy in a spectrum. -- Spec`tro*bo`lo*met"ric a. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

a. Pert. to or designating any form of spark tube the electric discharge within which is used in spectroscopic observations. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Spectrum + -gram. ] (Physics) A photograph, map, or diagram of a spectrum. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Spectrum + graph. ] (Physics) (a) An apparatus for photographing or mapping a spectrum. (b) A photograph or picture of a spectrum. -- Spec`tro*graph"ic a. -- Spec`tro*graph"ic*al*ly adv. -- Spec*trog"ra*phy n. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

n. [ Spectrum + heloi- + -gram. ] (Astrophysics) A photograph of the sun made by monochromatic light, usually of the calcium line (k), and showing the sun's faculae and prominences. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. (Astrophysics) An apparatus for making spectroheliograms, consisting of a spectroscopic camera used in combination with a telescope, and provided with clockwork for moving the sun's image across the slit. -- Spec`tro*he`li*o*graph"ic a. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

a. Of or pertaining to spectrology; as, spectrological studies or experiments. -- Spec`tro*log"ic*al*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ Spectrum + -logy. ] (Chem.Phys.) The science of spectrum analysis in any or all of its relations and applications. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Spectrum + -meter. ] (Physics) A spectroscope fitted for measurements of the luminious spectra observed with it. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Physics) Art or process of using a spectrometer, of any type; -- when used alone, it usually refers to the use of a spectrometer using light in the visible, infrared, or ultraviolet region. -- Spec`tro*met"ric a. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]

mass spectrometry, the art or process of using a mass spectrometer to analyse chemical samples. [PJC]

n. [ Spectrum + Gr. &unr_; sound. ] An instrument constructed on the principle of the photophone and used in spectrum analysis as an adjunct to the spectroscope. -- Spec`tro*phon"ic a. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

n. [ Spectrum + photometer. ] 1. (Opt.) An instrument for measuring or comparing the intensities of the colors of the spectrum. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Chem., Physics) An analytical instrument for measuring the degree of absorption of light at different wavelengths by a chemical substance. A specific pattern of absorption intensities at a series of wavelengths is a characteristic of each different chemical substance. [ PJC ]

n. 1. The art of comparing, photometrically, the brightness of two spectra, wave length by wave length; the use of the spectrophotometer. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. (Chem., Physics) the art or process of measuring the degree of absorption of light at different wavelengths by a chemical substance, by means of a spectrometer or spectrophotometer. It is a technique for chemical analysis. [ PJC ]

-- Spec`tro*pho`to*met"ric a. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

n. [ Spectrum + -scope. ] (Physics) An optical instrument for forming and examining spectra (as that of solar light, or those produced by flames in which different substances are volatilized), so as to determine, from the position of the spectral lines, the composition of the substance. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. Of or pertaining to a spectroscope, or spectroscopy. -- Spec`tro*scop"ic*al*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. One who investigates by means of a spectroscope; one skilled in the use of the spectroscope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the art and science dealing with the use of a spectroscope, and the production and analysis of spectra; the action of using a spectroscope. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

n.; pl. Spectra [ L. See Specter. ] 1. An apparition; a specter. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Opt.) (a) The several colored and other rays of which light is composed, separated by the refraction of a prism or other means, and observed or studied either as spread out on a screen, by direct vision, by photography, or otherwise. See Illust. of Light, and Spectroscope. (b) A luminous appearance, or an image seen after the eye has been exposed to an intense light or a strongly illuminated object. When the object is colored, the image appears of the complementary color, as a green image seen after viewing a red wafer lying on white paper. Called also ocular spectrum. [ 1913 Webster ]

Absorption spectrum, the spectrum of light which has passed through a medium capable of absorbing a portion of the rays. It is characterized by dark spaces, bands, or lines. --
Chemical spectrum, a spectrum of rays considered solely with reference to their chemical effects, as in photography. These, in the usual photogrophic methods, have their maximum influence at and beyond the violet rays, but are not limited to this region. --
Chromatic spectrum, the visible colored rays of the solar spectrum, exhibiting the seven principal colors in their order, and covering the central and larger portion of the space of the whole spectrum. --
Continous spectrum, a spectrum not broken by bands or lines, but having the colors shaded into each other continously, as that from an incandescent solid or liquid, or a gas under high pressure. --
Diffraction spectrum, a spectrum produced by diffraction, as by a grating. --
Gaseous spectrum, the spectrum of an incandesoent gas or vapor, under moderate, or especially under very low, pressure. It is characterized by bright bands or lines. --
Normal spectrum, a representation of a spectrum arranged upon conventional plan adopted as standard, especially a spectrum in which the colors are spaced proportionally to their wave lengths, as when formed by a diffraction grating. --
Ocular spectrum. See Spectrum, 2 (b), above. --
Prismatic spectrum, a spectrum produced by means of a prism. --
Solar spectrum, the spectrum of solar light, especially as thrown upon a screen in a darkened room. It is characterized by numerous dark lines called Fraunhofer lines. --
Spectrum analysis, chemical analysis effected by comparison of the different relative positions and qualities of the fixed lines of spectra produced by flames in which different substances are burned or evaporated, each substance having its own characteristic system of lines. --
Thermal spectrum, a spectrum of rays considered solely with reference to their heating effect, especially of those rays which produce no luminous phenomena. [ 1913 Webster ]