French word

spécimen

Pronunciation

IPA/spesimɛn/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsample

Example

Je veux voir le spécimen avant d'acheter.

I want to see the sample before buying it.

Illustration for spécimen (sample)

More examples

La banque exige un spécimen de signature pour ouvrir le compte.

The bank requires a signature specimen to open the account.

Core concept

A concrete sample held out for examination, testing, or comparison.

Similar words

échantillon: A small product portion provided for sale or trial.
exemple: A specific case shown to clarify an idea or aid learning.

Definition in French

Exemplaire prélevé ou choisi pour être étudié, testé ou présenté comme référence.

Word origin

French borrowed spécimen from Latin specimen, a word for an example or sample that shares its origin with English specimen.

Usage tips

  • In ordinary contexts, échantillon is often more natural for a sample, while spécimen has a more technical or formal tone.

Other meanings

  • specimennoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word