I. Lit., a looking-glass, mirror (usually made of polished metal): “speculum a speciendo, quod ibi se spectant,” Varr. L. L. 5, § 129 Müll.; cf.: “speculum, quod in eo specimus imaginem,” id. ib. 6, § “82: homines sibi habere speculum, ubi os contemplarent suom, etc.,” Plaut. Ep. 3, 3, 2: “quid opu'st speculo tibi, quae tute speculo speculum es maximum?” id. Most. 1, 3, 94; cf. id. Men. 5, 9, 3: “speculi imago,” Lucr. 4, 279; cf. id. 4, 331: “speculis apparent simulacra,” id. 4, 98: “speculorum levitas,” Cic. Univ. 14: “quotiens te in speculo videris alterum,” Hor. C. 4, 10, 6: “ut in speculo rugas aspexit aniles,” Ov. M. 15, 232: “se in speculo contemplari,” App. Mag. p. 283, 4: “cava specula,” id. ib. p. 284, 2 et saep.— On the material and use of mirrors, v. Plin. 33, 9, 45, § 128; 34, 17, 48, § 160; 37, 5, 16, § 64; 37, 7, 25, § 97; Stat. S. 3, 4, 94; Sen. Q. N. 1, 17.—With tanquam, ut, etc.: “inspicere, tamquam in speculum, in vitas omnium,” Ter. Ad. 3, 3, 61; 3, 3, 74; Cic. Pis. 29, 71; id. Fin. 5, 22, 61; id. Rep. 2, 42, 69.—
B. Poet., transf., of the mirror-like smoothness of water: “lympharum in speculo,” Phaedr. 1, 4, 3.—
II. Trop., a mirror, copy, imitation (rare; more freq. connected with tamquam or ut, etc.; v. supra, I.): “futuri temporis,” Lucr. 3, 974; 4, 166: “infantes et bestias putat specula esse naturae,” Cic. Fin. 2, 10, 32; cf. “corresp. with imago,” Plaut. Men. 5, 9, 3: “omne opus Vergilianum de quodam Homerici operis speculo formatum est,” Macr. S. 5, 2 med.
