[spe.cif.ic] adj [LL specificus, fr. L species] (ca. 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 ~ to horses" b: exerting a distinctive influence (as on a body part or a disease) "~ antibodies"
3: free from ambiguity: accurate "a ~ statement of faith"
4: of, relating to, or constituting a species and esp. a biologic species
5. a: being any of various arbitrary physical constants and esp. one relating a quantitative attribute to unit mass, volume, or area b: imposed at a fixed rate per unit (as of weight or count) "~ import duties"--compare ad valorem syn see special, explicit -- spe.cif.i.cal.ly adv
[2]specific n (1661) 1 a: something peculiarly adapted to a purpose or use b: a drug or remedy having a specific mitigating effect on a disease
2. a: a characteristic quality or trait b: details, particulars--usu. used in pl. "haggling over the legal and financial ~s of independence --Time" c pl: specification 2a