spec

[spek]

See more synonyms for spec on Thesaurus.com

noun

Usually specs. specification(def 2).
speculation.

adjective

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.

to provide specifications for: Their newest truck was spec'd by a computer.

Idioms

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

speck

[spek]

noun

a small spot differing in color or substance from that of the surface or material upon which it appears or lies: Specks of soot on the window sill.
a very little bit or particle: We haven't a speck of sugar.
something appearing small by comparison or by reason of distance: By then the town was just a speck.

verb (used with object)

to mark with, or as with, a speck or specks.

Origin of speck

before 900; Middle English specke, Old English specca; cognate with Dutch spikkel

Related formsspeck·ed·ness

[spek-id-nis] /ˈspɛk ɪd nɪs/, nounspeck·less, adjectivespeck·less·ly, adverbspeck·less·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for specked

Historical Examples

It did seem as if the choicest fruit always came to her specked.
Southern Lights and Shadows
Various
After Lady day, when potatoes are getting old and specked, and also in frosty weather, this is the best way of dressing them.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,
Mary Eaton
It will make him cross, and all we shall get will be the specked and worm-eaten ones.
The Errand Boy
Horatio Alger
But again the sea was specked with white sails from the south-east.
A Book of Golden Deeds
Charlotte M. Yonge
Its plumage is yellowish buff, specked and barred lightly with blackish.
The Bird Book
Chester A. Reed

British Dictionary definitions for specked

spec

noun

on spec as a speculation or gambleall the tickets were sold so I went to the theatre on spec

adjective

(prenominal) Australian and NZ speculativea spec developer

Word Origin

C19: short for speculation or speculative

speck

noun

a very small mark or spot
a small or tiny piece of something

verb

(tr) to mark with specks or spots

Word Origin

Old English specca; related to Middle Dutch spekelen to sprinkle

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 specked

speck

n.

Old English specca "small spot, stain," of unknown origin; probably related to Dutch speckel "speck, speckle," Middle Dutch spekelen "to sprinkle." Meaning "tiny bit" developed c.1400.

spec

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}spec

speck

Origin of speck

Examples from the Web for specked

Historical Examples

It did seem as if the choicest fruit always came to her specked.

After Lady day, when potatoes are getting old and specked, and also in frosty weather, this is the best way of dressing them.

It will make him cross, and all we shall get will be the specked and worm-eaten ones.

But again the sea was specked with white sails from the south-east.

Its plumage is yellowish buff, specked and barred lightly with blackish.

spec

Word Origin

speck

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for specked

speck

n.

spec

n.

Idioms and Phrases with specked

spec

Origin of spec