spectroscopic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   relating to spectroscopy or to the production, measurement, or analysis of spectra

   Spectroscopic measurements revealed sodium in the star's atmosphere.

Formed from spectroscope + -ic. Spectroscope combines Latin spectrum ("appearance, image; spectrum"), from specere ("to look"), with Greek-derived -scope ("viewing instrument"). The adjective first described observation with a spectroscope and now applies broadly to spectroscopy.

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