I. Lit., a mark, token, proof, example, indication, evidence, sign (class.; used only in sing.; cf.: “exemplum, exemplar): nunc specimen specitur, nunc certamen cernitur,” Plaut. Cas. 3, 1, 2; cf. id. Bacch. 3, 2, 15: “tum Specimen cernitur, quo eveniat aedificatio,” id. Most. 1, 2, 52: “hoc specimen verum esse videtur, Quam celeri motu rerum simulacra ferantur,” Lucr. 4, 209: “ingenii specimen est quoddam transilire ante pedes posita,” Cic. de Or. 3, 40, 160: “ingenii, ingenui hominis,” id. Fragm. Pis. 1, 2: “popularis judicii,” id. Brut. 50, 188: “eximium consilii specimen,” Liv. 8, 7, 18: “anticum specimen animorum,” id. 38, 17, 20: “securitatis,” Plin. 7, 55, 56, § 196: “Solis avi,” Verg. A. 12, 164: “tellus Tale dabit specimen,” id. G. 2, 241: “matris Horae,” Val. Fl. 6, 57: “specimen dare alicui in aliquā re,” to furnish proof, Cic. Div. in Caecil. 8, 27; cf.: “Romanae fidei specimen gentibus dare,” Liv. 38, 58, 6; 25, 36, 16: “virtutis,” id. 5, 26, 10 Weissenb. ad loc.: “ad specimen virtutis ostendendum,” id. 28, 21, 3.—
II. Transf., a pattern, model, example, ideal (so a favorite word with Cic.): “specimen sationis et insitionis origo Ipsa fuit Natura,” Lucr. 5, 1361; cf. id. 5, 186: “specimen humanitatis, salis, suavitatis, leporis,” Cic. Tusc. 5, 19, 55: “temperantiae prudentiaeque specimen est Q. Scaevola,” id. N. D. 3, 32, 80: “innocentiae,” id. Pis. 39, 95: “is ordo ceteris specimen esto,” id. Leg. 3, 3, 10: “num dubitas, quin specimen naturae capi deceat ex optumā quāque naturā?” id. Tusc. 1, 14, 32: “unicum antiquitatis specimen,” Tac. A. 3, 4.—
B. An ornament, honor: “antiquum imperii,” Sen. Thyest. 223: “egregium,” id. Phoen. 80: “summum,” Amm. 23, 6, 23: “tibi specimen gloriosum arrogaris,” App. M. 1, p. 112 fin.
