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View synonyms for

specific

[ spi-sif-ik ]

adjective

  1. having a special application, bearing, or reference; specifying, explicit, or definite:

    to state one's specific purpose.

  2. specified, precise, or particular:

    a specific sum of money.

    Antonyms:

  3. peculiar or proper to somebody or something, as qualities, characteristics, effects, etc.:

    His specific problems got him into trouble.

  4. of a special or particular kind.
  5. concerned specifically with the item or subject named (used in combination):

    The Secretary addressed himself to crop-specific problems.

  6. Biology. of or relating to a species:

    specific characters.

  7. Medicine/Medical.
    1. (of a disease) produced by a special cause or infection.
    2. (of a remedy) having special effect in the prevention or cure of a certain disease.
  8. Immunology. (of an antibody or antigen) having a particular effect on only one antibody or antigen or affecting it in only one way.
  9. Commerce. noting customs or duties levied in fixed amounts per unit, as number, weight, or volume.
  10. Physics.
    1. designating a physical constant that, for a particular substance, is expressed as the ratio of the quantity in the substance to the quantity in an equal volume of a standard substance, as water or air.
    2. designating a physical constant that expresses a property or effect as a quantity per unit length, area, volume, or mass.


noun

  1. something specific, as a statement, quality, detail, etc.
  2. Medicine/Medical. a specific remedy:

    There is no specific for the common cold.

specific

/ spɪˈsɪfɪk; ˌspɛsɪˈfɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

  1. explicit, particular, or definite

    please be more specific

  2. relating to a specified or particular thing

    a specific treatment for arthritis

  3. of or relating to a biological species

    specific differences

  4. (of a disease) caused by a particular pathogenic agent
  5. physics
    1. characteristic of a property of a particular substance, esp in relation to the same property of a standard reference substance

      specific gravity

    2. characteristic of a property of a particular substance per unit mass, length, area, volume, etc

      specific heat

    3. (of an extensive physical quantity) divided by mass

      specific volume

      specific heat capacity

  6. Also (rare)specifical commerce denoting a tariff levied at a fixed sum per unit of weight, quantity, volume, etc, irrespective of value
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. sometimes plural a designated quality, thing, etc
  2. med any drug used to treat a particular disease
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈھ, adverb
  • specificity, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·i·· adverb
  • non·i·· adverb
  • ȴ·i adjective
  • pre·i·· adverb
  • ܲȴ·i adjective
  • un·i·· adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of specific1

First recorded in 1625–35; from Medieval Latin specificus, equivalent to Latin 𳦾(ŧ) species + -ficus -fic
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Word History and Origins

Origin of specific1

C17: from Medieval Latin specificus, from Latin species
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Synonym Study

See special.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Southwest did not disclose pricing specifics for the newly unveiled bundles.

From

The new Gallup poll contains these specific findings:

From

It emphasises that only women can be pregnant, for example, and women have specific legal protection during pregnancy.

From

Rather than identifying with specific ethnic groups, "most people who belonged to areas within the Roman Empire regarded themselves as Roman", Prof Mwaura added.

From

The FA has rules around advertising on kits and betting companies - but there do not appear to be specific rules prohibiting something like this incident, even if it was intentional marketing.

From

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ˈ𳦾ˌھspecifically