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specificity

[ spes-uh-fis-i-tee ]
/ ˌspɛs əˈfɪs ɪ ti /
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See synonyms for specificity on Thesaurus.com
noun
the quality or state of being specific.
Biochemistry, Pharmacology. the selective attachment or influence of one substance on another, as an antibiotic and its target organism or an antibody and its specific antigen.
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Origin of specificity

First recorded in 1875–80; specific + -ity

OTHER WORDS FROM specificity

non·spec·i·fic·i·ty, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to specificity

particularity, precision, distinction, exactitude, idiosyncrasy, meticulousness, relevance, selectivity

Medical definitions for specificity

specificity
[ spĕs′ə-fĭs′ĭ-tē ]
n.
The condition or state of being specific.
The statistical probability that an individual who does not have the particular disease being tested for will be correctly identified as negative, expressed as the proportion of true negative results to the total of true negative and false positive results.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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