Definition of "speculum" []

• A mirror or polished metal plate used as a reflector in optical instruments. (noun)
• An instrument for dilating the opening of a body cavity for medical examination. (noun)
• Zoology A bright, often iridescent patch of color on the wings of certain birds, especially ducks. (noun)
• Zoology A transparent spot in the wings of some butterflies or moths. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Prosecutor Shane Deel told the jury during opening statements that Hawkins purchased the speculum from a sex toy Web site that specializes in bondage items and that he had it mailed from Oregon to arrive by Jan. 31, 2005, when the assault is alleged to have occurred."
• "A specially designed speculum is used to help direct the injection into the G-spot, with effects lasting around four months."
• "The hen wigeon can be confused with the hen gadwall, but the latter's bill is orange-red and its wing lacks the green stripe separating the speculum from the shoulder patch."