specific

[spi-sif-ik] /spɪˈsɪf ɪk/
adjective
1.
having a special application, bearing, or reference; specifying, explicit, or definite:
to state one's specific purpose.
2.
specified, precise, or particular:
a specific sum of money.
3.
peculiar or proper to somebody or something, as qualities, characteristics, effects, etc.:
His specific problems got him into trouble.
4.
of a special or particular kind.
5.
concerned specifically with the item or subject named (used in combination):
The Secretary addressed himself to crop-specific problems.
6.
Biology. of or pertaining to a species:
specific characters.
7.
Medicine/Medical.
  1. (of a disease) produced by a special cause or infection.
  2. (of a remedy) having special effect in the prevention or cure of a certain disease.
8.
Immunology. (of an antibody or antigen) having a particular effect on only one antibody or antigen or affecting it in only one way.
9.
Commerce. noting customs or duties levied in fixed amounts per unit, as number, weight, or volume.
10.
Physics.
  1. designating a physical constant that, for a particular substance, is expressed as the ratio of the quantity in the substance to the quantity in an equal volume of a standard substance, as water or air.
  2. designating a physical constant that expresses a property or effect as a quantity per unit length, area, volume, or mass.
noun
11.
something specific, as a statement, quality, detail, etc.
12.
Medicine/Medical. a specific remedy:
There is no specific for the common cold.
Origin
1625-35; < Medieval Latin specificus, equivalent to Latin speci(ēs) species + -ficus -fic
Related forms
specifically, adverb
nonspecifically, adverb
prespecific, adjective
prespecifically, adverb
unspecific, adjective
unspecifically, adverb
Synonyms
1. See special.
Antonyms
2. vague.
Examples from the web for specific
  • It helps to look at culture instead of at specific countries.
  • The process of moving from the specific to the general is both necessary and perilous.
  • The flutes answer with a supple ascending line, requesting that the horns be more specific.
  • As your vocabulary becomes more specific, more useful, it also becomes less inclusive.
  • Actually, no-the hierarchy is more specific than that.
  • Their songs return again and again to a specific brand of immobility-the unchanging face that conceals a roiling heart.
  • The specific needs of all these groups do not necessarily coincide.
  • And in return for access they insist that journalists agree to all sorts of specific preconditions.
  • Egg-donor recipients often have comically specific requests for the donor.
  • But, economically speaking, the source of the anxiety is something much more specific: high prices at the gas pump.
British Dictionary definitions for specific

specific

/spɪˈsɪfɪk/
adjective
1.
explicit, particular, or definite: please be more specific
2.
relating to a specified or particular thing: a specific treatment for arthritis
3.
of or relating to a biological species: specific differences
4.
(of a disease) caused by a particular pathogenic agent
5.
(physics)
  1. characteristic of a property of a particular substance, esp in relation to the same property of a standard reference substance: specific gravity
  2. characteristic of a property of a particular substance per unit mass, length, area, volume, etc: specific heat
  3. (of an extensive physical quantity) divided by mass: specific heat capacity, specific volume
6.
(commerce) Also (rare) specifical. denoting a tariff levied at a fixed sum per unit of weight, quantity, volume, etc, irrespective of value
noun
7.
(sometimes pl) a designated quality, thing, etc
8.
(med) any drug used to treat a particular disease
Derived Forms
specifically, adverb
specificity (ˌspɛsɪˈfɪsɪtɪ) noun
Word Origin
C17: from Medieval Latin specificus, from Latin species
Word Origin and History for specific
adj.

1630s, "having a special quality," from French spécifique, from Late Latin specificus "constituting a species," from Latin species "kind, sort" (see species). Earlier form was specifical (early 15c.). Meaning "definite, precise" first recorded 1740.

specific in Medicine

specific spe·cif·ic (spĭ-sĭf'ĭk)
adj.

  1. Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species.

  2. Intended for, applying to, or acting on a specified thing.

  3. Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.

  4. Having a remedial influence or effect on a particular disease.

  5. In immunology, having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.

n.
A remedy intended for a particular ailment or disorder.
spe·cif'i·cal·ly adv.