Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

specify

[spes-uh-fahy]
See more synonyms for specify on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), spec·i·fied, spec·i·fy·ing.
  1. to mention or name specifically or definitely; state in detail: He did not specify the amount needed.
  2. to give a specific character to.
  3. to set forth as a specification.
  4. to name or state as a condition: He specified that he be given my power of attorney.
Show More
verb (used without object), spec·i·fied, spec·i·fy·ing.
  1. to make a specific mention or statement.
Show More

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

See more synonyms for specify on Thesaurus.com
1. detail, indicate, enumerate, stipulate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for unspecified

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Before this, the great games so often vowed, were constantly rated at a certain expense: these first at an unspecified amount.

British Dictionary definitions for unspecified

unspecified

adjective
  1. not referred to or stated specifically
Show More

specify

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr; may take a clause as object)
  1. to refer to or state specifically
  2. to state as a condition
  3. to state or include in the specification of
Show More
Derived Formsspecificative (ˈspɛsɪfɪˌkeɪtɪv), adjectivespecifier, noun

Word Origin

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

v.

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

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper