Mir″ror (?), n. [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.]
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 viewèd 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. (Zoöl.) See Speculum.
Mirror carp(Zoöl.), a domesticated variety of the carp, having only three or fur rows of very large scales side. — Mirror plate. (a) A flat glass mirror without a frame. (b) 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.