/ spəˈsɪfɪk; NAmE / adjective
1.
detailed and exact
SYN precise :
I gave you specific instructions.
'I'd like your help tomorrow.' 'Can you be more specific (= tell me exactly what you want) ?'
2.
[ usually before noun ] connected with one particular thing only
SYN particular :
children's television programmes aimed at a specific age group
The money was collected for a specific purpose.
children with specific learning difficulties (= in one area only)
3.
specific to sth ( formal ) existing only in one place or limited to one thing
SYN peculiar :
a belief that is specific to this part of Africa
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (originally in the sense having a special determining quality ): from late Latin specificus , from Latin species appearance, form, beauty , from specere to look.