speck

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a very small spot
  2. noun (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
  3. noun a slight but appreciable amount

Etymology

From Middle English spekke, from Old English specca (“small spot, stain”), from the same ultimate source as Proto-Germanic *sprakô (“spark”). Cognate with Low German spaken (“to spot with wet”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

pinpoint

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