specific

American  

[spi-sif-ik] / spɪˈsɪf ɪk /

adjective

1. having a special application, bearing, or reference; specifying, explicit, or definite.

   to state one's specific purpose.

2. specified, precise, or particular.

   a specific sum of money.

   Antonyms:

   vague

3. peculiar or proper to somebody or something, as qualities, characteristics, effects, etc..

   His specific problems got him into trouble.

4. of a special or particular kind.

5. concerned specifically with the item or subject named (used in combination).

   The Secretary addressed himself to crop-specific problems.

6. Biology. of or relating to a species.

   specific characters.

7. Medicine/Medical.

   1. (of a disease) produced by a special cause or infection.

   2. (of a remedy) having special effect in the prevention or cure of a certain disease.

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

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

10. Physics.

    1. 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.

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

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noun

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

2. Medicine/Medical. a specific remedy.

   There is no specific for the common cold.

specific British  

/ spɪˈsɪfɪk, ˌspɛsɪˈfɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. explicit, particular, or definite

   please be more specific

2. relating to a specified or particular thing

   a specific treatment for arthritis

3. of or relating to a biological species

   specific differences

4. (of a disease) caused by a particular pathogenic agent

5. physics

   1. characteristic of a property of a particular substance, esp in relation to the same property of a standard reference substance

      specific gravity

   2. characteristic of a property of a particular substance per unit mass, length, area, volume, etc

      specific heat

   3. (of an extensive physical quantity) divided by mass

      specific heat capacity

      specific volume

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

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noun

1. (sometimes plural) a designated quality, thing, etc

2. med any drug used to treat a particular disease

Related Words

See special.

Other Word Forms

• nonspecifically adverb
• prespecific adjective
• prespecifically adverb
• specifically adverb
• specificity noun
• unspecific adjective
• unspecifically adverb

Etymology

Origin of specific

First recorded in 1625–35; from Medieval Latin specificus, equivalent to Latin speci(ēs) species + -ficus -fic

Example Sentences

“I think the specific motive, the French election, that has been discussed in the media is overrated,” Kocher said.

From The Wall Street Journal

This regulator, called MafB, acts as a "molecular switch" that turns specific genes on or off at precise moments and in specific cells.

From Science Daily

The rise of prediction markets has made very specific bets possible.

From The Wall Street Journal

White House officials have not commented on the specific identity of the prospective Iranian leader.

From Los Angeles Times

McIndoe responded: “I don’t recall specific conversations. I think I may have had a conversation with one or two of the other captains that were on scene before we left.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clear-cut
• definite
• definitive
• different
• distinct
• exact
• explicit
• individual
• limited
• peculiar
• precise
• special
• specialized
• unambiguous
• unequivocal
• unique