specimen

Definitions


[ˈspɛsɪmɪn], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an individual animal, plant, piece of a mineral, etc. used as an example of its species or type for scientific study or display
(e.g: specimens of copper ore)

- used to refer humorously to a person or animal
(e.g: Carla could not help feeling a degree of reluctant admiration for this odd female specimen)


Phrases:

Origin:
early 17th century (in the sense ‘pattern, model’): from Latin, from specere ‘to look’




definition by Oxford Dictionaries