EXAMPLES | WORD ORIGIN
verb (used without object), spe·cial·ized, spe·cial·iz·ing. to pursue some special line of study, work, etc.; have a specialty : The doctor specializes in gastroenterology. Biology (of an organism or one of its organs) to be adapted to a special function or environment. verb (used with object), spe·cial·ized, spe·cial·iz·ing. to render special or specific; invest with a special character, function, etc. to adapt to special conditions; restrict to specific limits. to restrict payment of (a negotiable instrument) by endorsing over to a specific payee.
to specify; particularize.
Also especially British spe·cial·ise .
Origin of specialize From the
French word
spécialiser, dating back to
1605–15. See
special ,
-ize Related forms spe·cial·i·za·tion , noun non·spe·cial·ized , adjective non·spe·cial·iz·ing , adjective o·ver·spe·cial·ize , verb, o·ver·spe·cial·ized, o·ver·spe·cial·iz·ing. pre·spe·cial·ize , verb (used without object), pre·spe·cial·ized, pre·spe·cial·iz·ing. sub·spe·cial·ize , verb, sub·spe·cial·ized, sub·spe·cial·iz·ing. su·per·spe·cial·ize , verb (used without object), su·per·spe·cial·ized, su·per·spe·cial·iz·ing. un·spe·cial·ized , adjective un·spe·cial·iz·ing , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for specialise Historical Examples of specialise Would it not be preferable that workers in the field of history should specialise ?
They specialise in that brand of junk, and they're in the popular market at the moment, too.
I think it is certain that the way to get most enjoyment from books is to specialise a little.
But the art of the founder-engraver was destined to specialise itself.
There are officers who specialise in this perilous and wonderful business.
British Dictionary definitions for specialise verb (intr) to train in or devote oneself to a particular area of study, occupation, or activity
(usually passive) to cause (organisms or their parts) to develop in a way most suited to a particular environment or way of life or (of organisms, etc) to develop in this way
(tr) to modify or make suitable for a special use or purpose
(tr) to mention specifically; specify
(tr) to endorse (a commercial paper) to a specific payee
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Derived Forms specialization or specialisation , noun 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 specialise v. 1610s, "to indicate specially," from special + -ize . Sense of "engage in a special study or line of business" is first attested 1881; biological sense is from 1851. Related: Specialized ; specializing .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
v. To limit one's profession to a particular specialty or subject area for study, research, or treatment.
To adapt to a particular function or environment.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
