mirror

1. A looking-glass or a speculum; any glass or polished substance that forms images by the reflection of rays of light. "And in her hand she held a mirror bright, Wherein her face she often viewed fair." (Spenser)

2. That which gives a true representation, or in which a true image may be seen; hence, a pattern; an exemplar. "She is mirour of all courtesy." (Chaucer) "O goddess, heavenly bright, Mirror of grace and majesty divine." (Spenser)

3. <zoology> See Speculum.

<zoology> Mirror carp, a domesticated variety of the carp, having only three or fur rows of very large scales side. Mirror plate. A flat glass mirror without a frame. Flat glass used for making mirrors. Mirror writing, a manner or form of backward writing, making manuscript resembling in slant and order of letters the reflection of ordinary writing in a mirror. The substitution of this manner of writing for the common manner is a symptom of some kinds of nervous disease.

Origin: OE. Mirour, F. Miroir, OF. Also mireor, fr. (assumed) LL. Miratorium, fr. Mirare to look at, L. Mirari to wonder. See Marvel, and cf. Miracle, Mirador.

Source: Websters Dictionary

(01 Mar 1998)


Terms mentioned in text: glass, speculum, substance, forms, images, reflection, light, hand, she, held, bright, face, fair, image, pattern, goddess, bright, grace, divine, zoology, speculum, zoology, variety, fur, rows, large, scales, side, plate, flat, glass, frame, writing, manner, order, letters, reflection, ordinary, substitution, symptom, nervous, disease
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