Here's how it breaks down:
* Spec: This is a shortened form of the Latin word "specere."
* Specere: This means "to look at" or "to see."
This root word is used in many English words related to looking, seeing, or observing:
* Spectator: A person who watches an event.
* Spectacle: A public display or performance.
* Inspection: The act of examining something carefully.
* Spectacles: Eyeglasses.
* Speculate: To form opinions without sufficient evidence.
So, the base word "spec" essentially signifies "looking" or "seeing," and is often used to refer to things related to observation, examination, or visual perception.