specific

specific
I. adjective Etymology: Late Latin specificus, from Latin species Date: circa 1631 1. a. constituting or falling into a specifiable category b. sharing or being those properties of something that allow it to be referred to a particular category 2. a. restricted to a particular individual, situation, relation, or effect <
a disease specific to horses
>
b. exerting a distinctive influence (as on a body part or a disease) <
specific antibodies
>
3. free from ambiguity ; accurate <
a specific statement of faith
>
4. of, relating to, or constituting a species and especially a biological species 5. a. being any of various arbitrary physical constants and especially one relating a quantitative attribute to unit mass, volume, or area b. imposed at a fixed rate per unit (as of weight or count) <
specific import duties
>
— compare ad valorem Synonyms: see special, explicitspecifically adverb II. noun Date: 1661 1. a. something peculiarly adapted to a purpose or use b. a drug or remedy having a specific mitigating effect on a disease <
used as a specific against malaria
>
2. a. a characteristic quality or trait b. details, particulars — usually used in plural <
haggling over the legal and financial specifics of independence — Time
>
c. plural specification 2a

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • specific — spe*cif ic (sp[ e]*s[i^]f [i^]k), a. [F. sp[ e]cifique, or NL. spesificus; L. species a particular sort or kind + facere to make. Cf. {specify}.] 1. Of or pertaining to a species; characterizing or constituting a species; possessing the peculiar… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • specific — spe·cif·ic /spə si fik/ adj 1: relating to a particular thing 2: intended for or restricted to a particular end or object 3: being of a particularly identified kind or nature spe·cif·i·cal·ly / i klē, kə lē/ adv spec·i·fic·i·ty …   Law dictionary

  • Specific — can mean: * ParticularIn science, specific can denote that a measurement is expressed per unit mass (or weight): * Specific heat capacity * Specific energy * Specific impulseor is relative to a standard value: * Specific refractive index… …   Wikipedia

  • specific — [spə sif′ik] adj. [LL specificus < L species (see SPECIES) + ficus, FIC] 1. limiting or limited; specifying or specified; precise; definite; explicit [no specific plans] 2. of or constituting a species 3. peculiar to or characteristic of… …   English World dictionary

  • Specific — Spe*cif ic, n. 1. (Med.) A specific remedy. See {Specific}, a., 3. [1913 Webster] His parents were weak enough to believe that the royal touch was a specific for this malady. Macaulay. [1913 Webster] 2. Anything having peculiar adaption to the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • -specific — [spə sif′ik] combining form limited or specific to, characteristic of (a specified thing or person) [species specific] * * * …   Universalium

  • specific — UK US /spəˈsɪfɪk/ adjective ► relating to one particular thing and not others: »A specific provision in the agreement stated that research materials should not be used for commercial purposes. ► clear and exact: »He wouldn t give a specific… …   Financial and business terms

  • -specific — [spə sif′ik] combining form limited or specific to, characteristic of (a specified thing or person) [species specific] …   English World dictionary

  • specific — adj 1 *special, especial, particular, individual Antonyms: generic 2 definite, *explicit, express, categorical Analogous words: designating, naming (see DESIGNATE): *clear, lucid, perspicuous: precise, exact (see CORRECT …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • specific — ► ADJECTIVE 1) clearly defined or identified. 2) precise and clear. 3) (specific to) belonging or relating uniquely to. 4) relating to species or a species. ► NOUN (specifics) ▪ precise details …   English terms dictionary

  • specific — (adj.) 1630s, having a special quality, from Fr. spécifique, from L.L. specificus constituting a species, from L. species kind, sort (see SPECIES (Cf. species)). Earlier form was specifical (early 15c.). Meaning definite, precise first recorded… …   Etymology dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”