Emily Dickinson Lexicon

specify (-ied), v. [OFr 'to describe, mention, note particularly'.]

1. To mention or state specifically or explicitly.
2. To speak plainly and explicitly about a matter, without reservation or disguise, so as to make it clearly understood.
3. To describe and assign a name to; enumerate or list with others of its class.

specimen (-s), n. [L. 'to look at'.]

A sample or selection, regarded as an example of the whole.

specious, adj. [L. 'fair, beautiful, fairseeming'.]

1. Having an appearance which may suggest a character or qualities other than those actually possessed.
2. Displaying a superficial attractiveness deliberately intended to deceive.
3. Characteristic of or belonging to a particular species [word play on species.]

speck (-s), n. [OE.]

1. A tiny particle, especially as seen from a distance or by comparison.
2. A small spot of different hue or luminance than the surface upon or against which it appears.
3. A very small amount; trace.

spectacle, n. [OFr < L. spectāre, to look.]

1. Anything visible.
2. [Fig.] something from which the night provides an escape.

spectacles, n. [see spectacle, n.]

Eyeglasses with side-pieces that pass over the ears when worn and fold behind the lenses when not in use.

spectral, adj. [see spectre, n.]

1. Suggestive of a specter; ghostly; eerie; unearthly
2. [Fig.] prefiguring death and its sleep; symbolizing peaceful repose, life in the world of spirits.

spectre (-'s, -s), n. [Fr. < L. 'to look'.]

1. A ghost, phantom, or apparition, especially one suggesting or evoking alarm, dread, terror, torment, darkness, or despair.
2. [Fig.] A thought, image, or prospect that perturbs the mind; object or source of dread or terror.
3. The incorporeal spirit of God or of man, either invisible, preternaturally visible, or phantasmal.

speculate (-d), v. [L. speculārī, to spy out, examine, observe, look-out, watch tower < specěre, look, see.] (webplay: nature, see, subject).

1. Consider; contemplate; surmise; ponder; reflect; theorize upon; try to understand. (1292/1290)
2. Deliberate; confer; converse hypothetically; discuss conjecturally; engage in thought.
3. See; observe; look at; gaze upon.
4. Anticipate; imagine; expect; envision; foresee; suppose; count on as probable.

speculation (-s, -'s), n. [see speculate, v.] (webplay: high, land, relations, thoughts).

1. Conjecture; anticipation; expectation of occurrence.
2. Illusion; mirage; passing fancy.
3. Contemplation; questioning; wondering; pondering; profound study; attempt to ascertain; hypothetical reasoning.
4. Purchase; determination of value; practice of buying and selling land in order to profit by the rise in the market value; [personification] risk; gambling; gambler.