specialty

[spesh-uh l-tee] /ˈspɛʃ əl ti/
noun, plural specialties.
1.
a special or distinctive quality, mark, state, or condition.
2.
a special subject of study, line of work, area of interest, or the like:
His specialty is art criticism.
3.
an article or service particularly dealt in, rendered, manufactured, etc., or one to which the provider, dealer, or manufacturer claims to devote special care:
The manufacturer's specialty is fine hats.
4.
an article of unusual or superior design or quality.
5.
a novelty; a new article.
6.
an article with such strong consumer demand that it is at least partially removed from price competition.
7.
a special or particular point, item, matter, characteristic, or peculiarity.
8.
Law.
  1. a special agreement, contract, etc., expressed in an instrument under seal.
  2. a negotiable instrument not under seal.
adjective
9.
Theater.
  1. performing or performed in a manner that is unusual or not customary for a type of act, especially a performance involving dexterity or ingenuity, as a patter song:
    specialty actor; specialty act.
  2. (of a song or dance) isolated from the rest of the show:
    specialty number.
Also, especially British, speciality.
Origin
1300-50; Middle English specialte < Middle French especialte < Late Latin speciālitās. See special, -ity
Can be confused
especially, specially, specialty (see synonym study at especially)
Synonyms
3. trademark, stamp, badge, forte.
Examples from the web for specialty
  • Another could be the vast array of specialty plates now available.
  • Production agriculture experience and/or college level coursework related to specialty crops, vegetable crops.
  • Editors can search for contributors by region, experience and specialty.
  • The paper sculptures are created with found specialty papers.
  • specialty basils are available at many local nurseries or they can be ordered by mail.
  • It's a bit circular, but changing or scrapping the system might allow professors more freedom to choose their own specialty.
  • There are specialty camps where two- and four-legged campers get to stay and play together.
  • Creativity and theoretical thinking will always be the specialty of humans.
  • Those board game geek favorites are usually sold at specialty retailers.
  • specialty areas of teaching and research are open but must be appropriate to counseling and counseling psychology.
British Dictionary definitions for specialty

speciality

/ˌspɛʃɪˈælɪtɪ/
noun (pl) -ties
1.
a special interest or skill
2.
  1. a service or product specialized in, as at a restaurant: roast beef was a speciality of the house
  2. (as modifier): a speciality dish
3.
a special or distinguishing feature or characteristic

specialty

/ˈspɛʃəltɪ/
noun (pl) -ties
1.
(law) a formal contract or obligation expressed in a deed
2.
(US & Canadian) a special interest or skill
3.
  1. a service or product specialized in, as at a restaurant: roast beef was a specialty of the house
  2. (as modifier): a specialty dish
4.
a special or distinguishing feature or characteristic
another word for speciality
Word Origin and History for specialty
n.

early 14c., from Middle French especialte, variant of specialite, from Latin specialitatem (nominative specialitas) "peculiarity," from specialis (see special). Speciality is attested from early 15c.; French form spécialité (especially in reference to restaurant dishes) is recorded from 1839.

specialty in Medicine

specialty spe·cial·ty (spěsh'əl-tē)
n.
A branch of medicine or surgery in which a physician specializes; the field or practice of a specialist.