specification

[spes-uh-fi-key-shuhn]

noun

the act of specifying.
Usually specifications. a detailed description or assessment of requirements, dimensions, materials, etc., as of a proposed building, machine, bridge, etc.
a particular item, aspect, calculation, etc., in such a description.

something specified, as in a bill of particulars; a specified particular, item, or article.
an act of making specific.
the state of having a specific character.

Origin of specification

1605–15; < Medieval Latin specificātiōn- (stem of specificātiō), equivalent to specificāt(us) (past participle of specificāre to mention, describe; see specific, -ate¹) + -iōn- -ion

Related formsnon·spec·i·fi·ca·tion, nounpre·spec·i·fi·ca·tion, nounre·spec·i·fi·ca·tion, nounsu·per·spec·i·fi·ca·tion, noun

Synonyms for specification

4. requirement, condition, qualification.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for prespecification

specification

noun

the act or an instance of specifying
(in patent law) a written statement accompanying an application for a patent that describes the nature of an invention
a detailed description of the criteria for the constituents, construction, appearance, performance, etc, of a material, apparatus, etc, or of the standard of workmanship required in its manufacture
an item, detail, etc, specified

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

Word Origin and History for prespecification

specification

1610s, "act of investing with some quality," from Medieval Latin specificationem (nominative specificatio), from Latin species "kind, sort" (see species) + -ficus, unstressed comb. form of facere "to make, do." Meaning "technical particular" is attested from 1833; short form spec first attested 1956.