espectro

spectrum

noun ehs-PEHK-troh Rare

Origin: Latin spectrum (appearance, image)

Also means

ghost

Usage Note

Espectro has two distinct uses: the scientific meaning (electromagnetic spectrum, light spectrum) and the literary/colloquial meaning of a ghost or spectre. Context usually disambiguates. In medical Spanish, espectro autista (autism spectrum) is the standard clinical term, not a calque but the accepted translation.

Examples

"La luz blanca contiene todo el espectro visible."

Natural Translation

White light contains the entire visible spectrum.

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