spec-, spic-, spect-, spectat-, spectro- -spectr, -spectful, -spection, -spective

(Latin: to see, seeing; to look at, looking at; sight, to appear, appearing; to behold, to examine, examining)

respite (s) (noun), respites (pl)
1. A period of relief and rest: The weekend provided Karen with a good respite from the pressures of her weekly work.
2. Etymology: from Latin respectus, "consideration, act of looking back" from respicere, "to look back, to have regard for."
Relief from a task or situation.
© ALL rights are reserved.

An interval of rest from the pressure to do things.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

retrospect (s) (noun), retrospects (pl)
A thought or a revelation about something that happened in the past: What caused so much misunderstanding was that Alfred's retrospects were too confusing to determine what he really wanted to achieve in his next attempt to complete the project.
A look back on something from the past.

A review of the past.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

retrospective (adjective), more retrospective, most retrospective
Relating to something that happened in the past: The police issued a retrospective report about three trucks running into each other and causing the highway to be shut down for ten hours one day last week.
Referring to something in the past.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

Sapiens qui prospicit.
He is wise who looks ahead.

Motto of Malvern College, U.K.

scepter, specter
scepter (SEP tuhr) (noun)
The staff or emblem of royal authority: The queen carried the scepter in her hand as she walked to her carriage.
specter (SPEK tuhr) (noun)
A ghost or something that appears to haunt a location or an individual: In the shadows, Arnold was certain that he saw the specter of his long lost uncle.

Tradition has it that the royal specter walks beside the prince when he is carrying the scepter into the royal chambers.

Si monumentum requiris, circumspice. (Latin proverb)
Translation: "If you seek a monument, look around you."

An inscription on Sir Christopher Wren's tomb in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, England. Wren was the architect of the cathedral that was constructed in 1675-1720.

Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice. (Latin motto)
Translation: "If you seek a pleasant [lovely] peninsula, look about you."

Motto of the State of Michigan, USA.

special (adjective)
1. A reference to something that is surpassing or exceeding what is common or usual; exceptional: "Pamela was asked to come to Ron's special birthday party."
2. Related to that which is distinct among others of a kind: "Adrian used a special type of paint for the doors of his house."

"The doctor recommended a special medication for Neil's illness."
3. Descriptive of something that is primary: "Martha's special satisfaction comes from doing volunteer work at the local food bank for homeless people."
4. Referring to something that has a limited or specific function, application, or scope: "Claude had a special role in the drama."
5. Arranged for a particular occasion or purpose: "Julie's mother was preparing for a special visit from her daughter and children."
6. That which is regarded with particular affection and admiration: "Amy was happy to see her special friend again after so many years".
7. Some kind of additional quality or which is beyond the normal: "The airline was advertising a special price for their holiday-luxury flights."

specialist (s) (noun), specialists (pl)
A professional person; such as, a health practitioner, who does research in a particular branch of study; usually, after having obtained special training and experience: "Joan was a specialist in dermatology or skin diseases."
specialize (verb), specializes; specialized; specializing
To concentrate on and to become an expert in a particular subject, vocation, or skill: As a medical doctor, Monroe specialized in surgical transplants of body organs.

Karin's brother is an auto mechanic who specializes in the repair of trucks.

A particular kind of study or work.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

