broad-spectrum
|broad/spec/trum|
B2
🇺🇸
/brɔd ˈspɛktrəm/
🇬🇧
/brɔːd ˈspɛktrəm/
wide-ranging effectiveness
Etymology
Etymology Information
'broad-spectrum' originates from the combination of 'broad,' meaning 'wide,' and 'spectrum,' meaning 'range.'
Historical Evolution
'broad-spectrum' was formed by combining the words 'broad' and 'spectrum' in modern English to describe something with a wide range of effectiveness.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to a wide range of colors or frequencies, but it evolved to describe effectiveness against a wide range of organisms or conditions.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
effective against a wide range of organisms or conditions.
The doctor prescribed a broad-spectrum antibiotic to treat the infection.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45