specify

[spes-uh-fahy]

See more synonyms for specify on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), spec·i·fied, spec·i·fy·ing.

to mention or name specifically or definitely; state in detail: He did not specify the amount needed.
to give a specific character to.
to set forth as a specification.

to name or state as a condition: He specified that he be given my power of attorney.

verb (used without object), spec·i·fied, spec·i·fy·ing.

to make a specific mention or statement.

Origin of specify

1250–1300; Middle English specyfyen < Old French specifier < Medieval Latin specificāre. See specific, -fy

Related formsspec·i·fi·ca·tive

[spes-uh-fi-key-tiv] /ˈspɛs ə fɪˌkeɪ tɪv/, adjectivespec·i·fi·ca·tive·ly, adverbspec·i·fi·er, nounmis·spec·i·fied, adjectivenon·spec·i·fied, adjectivepre·spec·i·fy, verb (used with object), pre·spec·i·fied, pre·spec·i·fy·ing.re·spec·i·fy, verb, re·spec·i·fied, re·spec·i·fy·ing.un·der·spec·i·fied, adjectiveun·der·spec·i·fy, verb (used with object), un·der·spec·i·fied, un·der·spec·i·fy·ing.un·spec·i·fied, adjectiveun·spec·i·fy·ing, adjective

Synonyms for specify

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1. detail, indicate, enumerate, stipulate.

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

Related Words for unspecified

undefined, undetermined, general, unmentioned, vague

Examples from the Web for unspecified

Contemporary Examples of unspecified

Her father, Bart, had resigned as CEO of a solar energy company in Atlanta after an unspecified disagreement with the board.
The Black Widow of Silicon Valley
Michael Daly
July 14, 2014
An unspecified portion of those requested funds would be reserved to expand legal assistance to both adults and children.
The Immigrant Kids Suing America
Caitlin Dickson
July 11, 2014
Intelligence from unspecified outside countries also has raised questions.
Syria’s Chemical Weapons Arrive in Notorious Mafia Port
Barbie Latza Nadeau, Christopher Dickey
July 1, 2014
Bentley will play an unspecified part during the fourth season of Game of Thrones.
Meet Game of Thrones’ Sexy New Season 4 Cast: The Red Viper, Porn Stars, and More
Marlow Stern
April 4, 2014
And Erdogan has threatened to send U.S. ambassador Francis Ricciardone packing for engaging in unspecified “provocative action.”
Turkey And Iran Accused Of Oil-For-Cash Sanctions Scheme
Jamie Dettmer
December 28, 2013

Historical Examples of unspecified

Not "a dog" or "the dog" but "dog" unspecified and absolute.
Balloons
Elizabeth Bibesco
He also omits many headings in the bibliography of geology, India, and other unspecified large fields.
A History of Bibliographies of Bibliographies
Archer Taylor
As a matter of fact many of our best drinking waters have all sorts of unspecified qualities.
Soul of a Bishop
H. G. Wells
They received £100 a year from unspecified holdings in Lancashire and had there a steward of courts at £1.
Medieval English Nunneries c. 1275 to 1535
Eileen Edna Power
Before this, the great games so often vowed, were constantly rated at a certain expense: these first at an unspecified amount.
History of Rome, Vol III
Titus Livius

British Dictionary definitions for unspecified

unspecified

adjective

not referred to or stated specifically

specify

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr; may take a clause as object)

to refer to or state specifically
to state as a condition
to state or include in the specification of

Derived Formsspecificative (ˈspɛsɪfɪˌkeɪtɪv), adjectivespecifier, noun

Word Origin for specify

C13: from Medieval Latin specificāre to describe

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 unspecified

specify

c.1300, from Old French specifier (13c.), from Late Latin specificare "mention particularly," from specifus (see specific). Related: Specified; specifying.