spec
[spek]
- Usually specs. specification(def 2).
- speculation.
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- built, done, bought, etc., as a speculation: the construction of spec houses.
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- to provide specifications for: Their newest truck was spec'd by a computer.
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- 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.
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Origin of spec
An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; by shortening
speck
[spek]
- 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.
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- to mark with, or as with, a speck or specks.
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Origin of speck
before 900; Middle English specke, Old English specca; cognate with Dutch spikkel
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
daubsmudgespecklemottlemoistendredgesmearshowerspraystudduststrewdotpepperspeculategamblestipplespeckspangledashExamples from the Web for specked
Historical Examples
It did seem as if the choicest fruit always came to her specked.
Southern Lights and ShadowsVarious
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.
The Errand BoyHoratio Alger
But again the sea was specked with white sails from the south-east.
A Book of Golden DeedsCharlotte M. Yonge
Its plumage is yellowish buff, specked and barred lightly with blackish.
The Bird BookChester A. Reed
spec
- on spec as a speculation or gambleall the tickets were sold so I went to the theatre on spec
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- (prenominal) Australian and NZ speculativea spec developer
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Word Origin
C19: short for speculation or speculative
speck
- a very small mark or spot
- a small or tiny piece of something
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- (tr) to mark with specks or spots
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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.
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spec
n.
short for specification, 1956. Related: Specs.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with specked
spec
see on spec.
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.