specific

[ spi-sif-ik ]

/ spɪˈsɪf ɪk /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR specific ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having a special application, bearing, or reference; specifying, explicit, or definite: to state one's specific purpose.

specified, precise, or particular: a specific sum of money.

peculiar or proper to somebody or something, as qualities, characteristics, effects, etc.: His specific problems got him into trouble.

of a special or particular kind.

concerned specifically with the item or subject named (used in combination): The Secretary addressed himself to crop-specific problems.

Biology. of or relating to a species: specific characters.

Medicine/Medical.

(of a disease) produced by a special cause or infection.
(of a remedy) having special effect in the prevention or cure of a certain disease.

Immunology. (of an antibody or antigen) having a particular effect on only one antibody or antigen or affecting it in only one way.

Commerce. noting customs or duties levied in fixed amounts per unit, as number, weight, or volume.

Physics.

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.
designating a physical constant that expresses a property or effect as a quantity per unit length, area, volume, or mass.

noun

something specific, as a statement, quality, detail, etc.

Medicine/Medical. a specific remedy: There is no specific for the common cold.

Origin of specific

1625–35; < Medieval Latin specificus, equivalent to Latin speci(ēs) species + -ficus -fic

ANTONYMS FOR specific

2 vague.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR specific ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for specific

1. See special.

OTHER WORDS FROM specific

spe·cif·i·cal·ly, adverb non·spe·cif·i·cal·ly, adverb pre·spe·cif·ic, adjective pre·spe·cif·i·cal·ly, adverb

un·spe·cif·ic, adjective un·spe·cif·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby specific

species-specific, species-specific antigen, speciesism, specif., specifiable, specific, specific action, specific activity, specific charge, specific conductance, specific dynamic action

Example sentences from the Web for specific

One specific kind of emergency is at the heart of this, such as when an airplane suffers a loss of stability at night.

Flight 8501 Poses Question: Are Modern Jets Too Automated to Fly? |Clive Irving |January 4, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
So too with a vaccine that provokes a specific immune response aimed at a specific RNA sequence.

When You Get the Flu This Winter, You Can Blame Anti-Vaxxers |Kent Sepkowitz |January 1, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
“Protocols have specific meanings behind them, rather than do what I say because I say so,” she added.

Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau |Ian Frisch |December 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
“Very few agencies offer police any specific guidance or training on how to question people with ID,” said Garrett.

How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities |Elizabeth Picciuto |December 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

To that end, PepsiCo adapts different global brands with products customized for specific markets.

The Science of Ingredient Innovation | |December 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The specific name griseus means gray, and probably has reference to the grayish color of the winter plumage.

Birds and Nature Vol. 9 No. 2 [February 1901] |Various
The specific "Additional Instructions" quoted by Rodney appear not to have been found.

The Major Operations of the Navies in the War of American Independence |A. T. Mahan
Of her specific exploits as a bruiser we hear of at least two near Dover.

Isopel Berners |George Borrow
But an examination of this orchid affords no pronounced evidence of any specific intention.

My Studio Neighbors |William Hamilton Gibson
The specific gravity of water is taken as unity, and that of any other substance is expressed as a decimal.

The Library of Work and Play: Mechanics, Indoors and Out |Fred T. Hodgson

British Dictionary definitions for specific

specific

/ (spɪˈsɪfɪk) /

adjective

explicit, particular, or definite please be more specific

relating to a specified or particular thing a specific treatment for arthritis

of or relating to a biological species specific differences

(of a disease) caused by a particular pathogenic agent

physics

characteristic of a property of a particular substance, esp in relation to the same property of a standard reference substancespecific gravity
characteristic of a property of a particular substance per unit mass, length, area, volume, etcspecific heat
(of an extensive physical quantity) divided by massspecific heat capacity; specific volume

Also (rare): specifical commerce denoting a tariff levied at a fixed sum per unit of weight, quantity, volume, etc, irrespective of value

noun

(sometimes plural) a designated quality, thing, etc

med any drug used to treat a particular disease

Derived forms of specific

specifically, adverb specificity (ˌspɛsɪˈfɪsɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for specific

C17: from Medieval Latin specificus, from Latin species

Medical definitions for specific

specific

[ spĭ-sĭf′ĭk ]

adj.

Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species.

Intended for, applying to, or acting on a specified thing.

Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.

Having a remedial influence or effect on a particular disease.

In immunology, having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.

n.

A remedy intended for a particular ailment or disorder.

Other words from specific

spe•cif′i•cal•ly adv.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

specific

adjective

noun

Origin of specific

ANTONYMS FOR specific

synonym study for specific

OTHER WORDS FROM specific

Words nearby specific

Example sentences from the Web for specific

British Dictionary definitions for specific

adjective

noun

Derived forms of specific

Word Origin for specific

Medical definitions for specific

adj.

n.

Other words from specific

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

specific

adjective

noun

Origin of specific

ANTONYMS FOR specific

synonym study for specific

OTHER WORDS FROM specific

Words nearby specific

Words related to specific

Example sentences from the Web for specific

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for specific

adjective

noun

Derived forms of specific

Word Origin for specific

Medical definitions for specific

adj.

n.

Other words from specific

British Dictionary definitions for specific