specific

[ spi-sif-ik ]

/ spɪˈsɪf ɪk /

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adjective

having a special application, bearing, or reference; specifying, explicit, or definite: to state one's specific purpose.

specified, precise, or particular: a specific sum of money.

peculiar or proper to somebody or something, as qualities, characteristics, effects, etc.: His specific problems got him into trouble.

of a special or particular kind.

concerned specifically with the item or subject named (used in combination): The Secretary addressed himself to crop-specific problems.

Biology. of or relating to a species: specific characters.

Medicine/Medical.

(of a disease) produced by a special cause or infection.
(of a remedy) having special effect in the prevention or cure of a certain disease.

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

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

Physics.

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

noun

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

Medicine/Medical. a specific remedy: There is no specific for the common cold.

Nearby words

Origin of specific

1625–35; < Medieval Latin specificus, equivalent to Latin speci(ēs) species + -ficus -fic

ANTONYMS FOR specific

2 vague.

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Related forms

spe·cif·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·spe·cif·i·cal·ly, adverbpre·spe·cif·ic, adjectivepre·spe·cif·i·cal·ly, adverb

un·spe·cif·ic, adjectiveun·spe·cif·i·cal·ly, adverb

Synonym study

1. See special.

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

Examples from the Web for unspecific

Dawn is upbeat yet unspecific, avoiding the potential irony Churchill warned of when an overconfidently named mission goes poorly.
Why Is the Libya War Called Operation Odyssey Dawn?|Josh Dzieza|March 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST
She did offer up a few studiously unspecific opinions and policy proposals.
Fox's New Leading Lady|Rebecca Dana|January 12, 2010|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for unspecific (1 of 2)

unspecific

/ (ˌʌnspɪˈsɪfɪk) /

adjective

not explicit, particular, or definite

British Dictionary definitions for unspecific (2 of 2)

specific

/ (spɪˈsɪfɪk) /

adjective

explicit, particular, or definiteplease be more specific

relating to a specified or particular thinga specific treatment for arthritis

of or relating to a biological speciesspecific differences

(of a disease) caused by a particular pathogenic agent

physics

characteristic of a property of a particular substance, esp in relation to the same property of a standard reference substancespecific gravity
characteristic of a property of a particular substance per unit mass, length, area, volume, etcspecific heat
(of an extensive physical quantity) divided by massspecific heat capacity; specific volume

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

noun

(sometimes plural) a designated quality, thing, etc

med any drug used to treat a particular disease

Derived Formsspecifically, adverbspecificity (ˌspɛsɪˈfɪsɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for specific

C17: from Medieval Latin specificus, from Latin species

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 unspecific

specific

adj.

1630s, "having a special quality," from French spécifique, from Late Latin specificus "constituting a species," from Latin species "kind, sort" (see species). Earlier form was specifical (early 15c.). Meaning "definite, precise" first recorded 1740.

Medicine definitions for unspecific

specific

[ spĭ-sĭf′ĭk ]

adj.

Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species.

Intended for, applying to, or acting on a specified thing.

Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.

Having a remedial influence or effect on a particular disease.

In immunology, having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.

n.

A remedy intended for a particular ailment or disorder.

Related formsspe•cif′i•cal•ly adv.

specific

adjective

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of specific

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for unspecific

British Dictionary definitions for unspecific (1 of 2)

unspecific

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for unspecific (2 of 2)

specific

adjective

noun

Word Origin for specific

Word Origin and History for unspecific

specific

Medicine definitions for unspecific

specific

adj.

n.