noun
spectrum
SPEK-trum/ˈspektrəm/
An ordered continuous range of variation.
These paint samples show a spectrum from almost white to nearly black.
Etymology
An “appearance” or “image” became the name for the visible band of colors produced by a prism. That ordered band supplied the model for a whole range of related qualities, positions, or values.
In context
cultural philanthropy is recognized as an important value not just by a few people but by a very broad spectrum of the community
More examples
- The survey captures a broad spectrum of political opinions.
- Symptoms fall along a spectrum from mild to severe.
- A prism separates white light into a spectrum of colors.
Forms
spectrum · spectra · spectrums