noun

speck

SPEK/spek/

A very small particle, spot, or amount.

A tiny speck sits on the otherwise clean plate.

A clean white ceramic plate with one tiny dark crumb on its otherwise empty surface; the plate establishes how very small the bit is.

Etymology

Old English specca meant a small spot or stain. The sense broadened from a visible mark to a tiny bit of something; the word's deeper origin is unknown.

In context

Studio IIT Bombay4:14

presence of a small impurity a small speck of dust or for some reason if there is a small very small level droplet that is sufficient to trigger the process of condensation

ET M L12D Combined First and Second Laws

More examples

Several specks floated in the water.
She brushed away a speck of dust.
Not a speck remained.

Forms

speck · specks

Similar words

particle: A small piece without necessarily extreme minuteness.
spot: A small mark rather than a separate piece.