Tuesday, August 12, 2014

specks, specs

Specks or specks is the plural ( more than one ) of "speck", meaning a mote or particle--
When she saw a few specks of dust, she cleaned the whole house.
From this altitiude, even cars look like tiny specks.

Specs or specs ( rhymes with specks ) is an informal term for "specifications", meaning a detailed chart, showing or decribing how something is made or how a machine runs--
I don't think I can repair this refrigerator without the specs.
Look for the specs; they should be in an envelope or bag taped to the bottom.

Specs or specs is also a very old-fashioned slang word for "spectacles", meaning eyeglasses--
Grandpa is looking for his specs; he can't see without them.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"She found the specs for the washer when she reached behind it to wipe away some specks of soot."

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