specimen

nom

1. 1

   An individual instance that represents a class; an example.

   early specimens of the art of Picasso

   a specimen of my own handwriting

   "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.

2. 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. 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. 4

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

   such a loathsome specimen of humanity

5. 5

   A sample, especially one used for diagnostic analysis.

6. 6

   An eligible man.

Formes

pluriel

specimens, specimina