I. spi-ˈsi-fik 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 , explicit
• spe·cif·i·cal·ly -fi-k(ə-)lē 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 specific s of independence — Time
c. plural : specification 2a