spectral1
/ˈspɛktr(ə)l
/adjective
Of or like a ghost: a spectral, menacing face...
- Haunted Land takes us from pre-history to modern times, from Shamanism, through the wild hunt of Europe, to witches, werewolves and vampires and ends with road ghosts, spectral figures and phantom hitch-hikers.
- It's brought the city welcome publicity hot on the spectral heels of the Ghost Festival.
- The night music of the third movement flickered with spectral glissandos and eerie harmonics.
Synonyms
ghostly, wraithlike, shadowy, phantom, incorporeal, insubstantial, disembodied, unearthly, other-worldly;
ghastly, eerie, weird, uncanny
informal spooky
rare phantasmal, phantasmic
Derivatives
spectrally
- Another wonder is the Ghost Tree, its bare branches of the smoothness and colour of ivory curving skywards in supplication as it gleams spectrally in the dying light.
Origin
Early 19th century: from spectre + -al.
spectral2
/ˈspɛktr(ə)l/adjective
Of or concerning spectra or the spectrum.A laser is the generator of intense coherent, electromagnetic radiation in the spectral range between ultra violet and infrared wavelengths....
- The duration of reflectance spectral acquisition was less than 1 second during which the light source of the bronchoscope was switched off.
- The principal steps in obtaining the spectral transmittance of specimens from these pictures are as follows.
Derivatives
spectrally
- Verification of the correct breathing frequency of 12 breaths/min was made by visually counting the respiratory trace on the computer display panel as well as by spectrally decomposing the respiratory wave.
- The remaining artifact-free data were then spectrally analyzed using discrete Fourier transforms to yield power data for specific frequency bands.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from spectrum + -al.