specification

[spes-uh-fi-key-shuh n] /ˌspɛs ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən/
noun
1.
the act of specifying.
2.
Usually, specifications. a detailed description or assessment of requirements, dimensions, materials, etc., as of a proposed building, machine, bridge, etc.
3.
a particular item, aspect, calculation, etc., in such a description.
4.
something specified, as in a bill of particulars; a specified particular, item, or article.
5.
an act of making specific.
6.
the state of having a specific character.
Origin
1605-15; < Medieval Latin specificātiōn- (stem of specificātiō), equivalent to specificāt(us) (past participle of specificāre to mention, describe; see specific, -ate1) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
nonspecification, noun
prespecification, noun
respecification, noun
superspecification, noun
Synonyms
4. requirement, condition, qualification.
Examples from the web for specification
  • And, after all, no market demand in the world takes the form of exact technical specification of the article required.
  • Consult the specification sheet for the solar panels.
  • Libraries, the cathedrals of learning necessary for any university, are not up to specification.
  • These devices need a slightly different specification from domestic ones, adapted to cope with a harsh outdoor environment.
  • Others are expected to follow or adjust the specification of their products to try to recover higher costs.
  • The result is, however, highly sensitive to the exact specification of the model used to control for other factors.
  • When cars can be built to a customer's specification, dealers need to take a different approach to selling.
  • To succeed, it will need to produce some desirable, high-specification handsets.
  • The genetic mechanism underlying the specification of one muscle type versus the other was unclear, however.
  • The data are exceptionally detailed and considerably better than the mission's specification.
British Dictionary definitions for specification

specification

/ˌspɛsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
noun
1.
the act or an instance of specifying
2.
(in patent law) a written statement accompanying an application for a patent that describes the nature of an invention
3.
a detailed description of the criteria for the constituents, construction, appearance, performance, etc, of a material, apparatus, etc, or of the standard of workmanship required in its manufacture
4.
an item, detail, etc, specified
Word Origin and History for specification
n.

1610s, "act of investing with some quality," from Medieval Latin specificationem (nominative specificatio), from Latin species "kind, sort" (see species) + -ficus, unstressed comb. form of facere "to make, do." Meaning "technical particular" is attested from 1833; short form spec first attested 1956.

specification in Technology

jargon
(spec) A document describing how some system should work.
(2001-02-06)