spectra
- 1Plural of spectrum.
The astronomer recorded the spectra of several distant galaxies.
Different elements produce distinct emission spectra when heated.
Note
The Latin neuter plural English kept, on the same pattern as datum and data. It is the expected form in technical writing. A chemist compares the absorption and emission spectra of substances, and a mathematician speaks of the spectra of matrices or operators, meaning their sets of eigenvalues. The regularized spectrums also occurs, mainly in nontechnical writing. In scientific prose, spectra is the safe choice.
spectra is a form of spectrum
spectrum, noun: A continuous range of values or qualities, possibly bounded by extremes at either end. Full entry
- Spelling
- spectrum → spectra: irregular plural (no -s)
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