specimen
n.-
1 scientific example (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Sciencea single plant, animal, or object that is used as an example of its whole group for study.
an individual animal, plant, or mineral used as an example of its species or type for scientific study or display.
ExampleThe museum has a perfect specimen of a rare butterfly from the Amazon.
ExampleThe botanist spent years searching for a well-preserved specimen of the orchid to include in the university's permanent collection.
UsageOften used with 'of' to specify the category being represented.
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2 medical sample (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Medicinea small amount of something from your body, like blood or urine, that a doctor tests.
a sample of bodily fluid or tissue taken for diagnostic or analytical testing.
ExampleThe nurse asked the patient to provide a urine specimen for the lab.
ExampleThe laboratory required a fresh blood specimen to ensure the accuracy of the chemical analysis.
UsageCommonly used in clinical and hospital settings.
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3 a person (n.) C1 Advanced Humorous Informala person who has a very specific physical appearance or character.
an individual person viewed as having particular physical or personality traits, often used with an adjective.
ExampleThe athlete was a fine physical specimen, tall and very strong.
ExampleHe was a curious specimen of a man, always wearing a heavy wool coat even in the middle of a heatwave.
Teacher's tipThis sense is often used ironically or to describe someone's physical fitness.
From Latin specimen (“mark, sign, example”), from speciō (“observe, watch”).