v. (also -ise) 1 intr. (often foll. by in) a be or become a specialist (specializes in optics). b devote oneself to an area of interest, skill, etc. (specializes in insulting people). 2 Biol. a tr. (esp. in passive) adapt or set apart (an organ etc.) for a particular purpose. b intr. (of an organ etc.) become adapted etc. in this way. 3 tr. make specific or individual. 4 tr. modify or limit (an idea, statement, etc.). specialization n.
[ F spécialiser (as SPECIAL) ]