a very small spot; the plane was just a speck in the sky

[ Syn: pinpoint ]

(nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything

[ Syn: atom , molecule , particle , corpuscle , mote ]

a slight but appreciable amount; this dish could use a touch of garlic

[ Syn: touch , hint , tinge , mite , pinch , jot , soupcon ]

produce specks in or on; speck the cloth'