specialize

[spesh-uh-lahyz]

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 formsspe·cial·i·za·tion, nounnon·spe·cial·ized, adjectivenon·spe·cial·iz·ing, adjectiveo·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, adjectiveun·spe·cial·iz·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for specialises

Contemporary Examples of specialises

The news was broken by a print magazine called Closer which specialises in paparazzi scoops.
Marriage, the French Way
Philip Short
February 12, 2014

Historical Examples of specialises

On the one hand the motor impulse specialises itself into drawing; on the other hand it specialises itself into speech.
Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death
Frederick W. H. Myers
For the novelist who specialises on temperamental delineation, it has wide possibilities.
The Lure of the Pen
Flora Klickmann
Since then Dr. Decroly, who specialises on defective children in Belgium, has tried our methods, and verified our conclusions.
Mentally Defective Children
Alfred Binet

British Dictionary definitions for specialises

specialize

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

Derived Formsspecialization 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 specialises

specialize

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.

Medicine definitions for specialises

specialize

[spĕsh′ə-līz′]

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.