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definitions

spec

[spek]
See more synonyms for spec on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Usually specs. specification(def 2).
  2. speculation.
adjective
  1. built, done, bought, etc., as a speculation: the construction of spec houses.
verb (used with object), spec'd or specked or specced, spec'·ing or speck·ing or spec·cing.
  1. to provide specifications for: Their newest truck was spec'd by a computer.
Idioms
  1. on spec, made, built, or done with hopes of but no assurance of payment or a sale; without commitment by a client or buyer: ad illustrations done on spec; luxury homes built on spec and sold before completion.

Origin of spec

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; by shortening
Related formsspec·’er, speck·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for spec'd

speculate, gamble, play, plunge, dare, hazard, venture, shoot, set, pledge, lay, stake, chance, game, adventure, hedge, parlay, risk, hustle, spec
British Dictionary definitions for spec'd

spec

noun
  1. on spec as a speculation or gambleall the tickets were sold so I went to the theatre on spec
adjective
  1. (prenominal) Australian and NZ speculativea spec developer

Word Origin for spec

C19: short for speculation or speculative
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 spec'd

spec

n.

short for specification, 1956. Related: Specs.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with spec'd

spec

see on spec.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.