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specific (adj.)

1630s, "having a special quality," from French spécifique and directly from Late Latin specificus "constituting a kind or sort" (in Medieval Latin "specific, particular"), from Latin species "kind, sort" (see species) +  -ficus "making, doing," from combining form of facere "to make." Earlier form was specifical (early 15c.). Meaning "definite, precise" first recorded 1740. Related: Specifically; specificness.

specific (n.)

"a specific quality or detail," 1690s, from specific (adj.).

Entries related to specific

species (n.)

late 14c. as a classification in logic, from Latin species "a particular sort, kind, or type" (opposed to genus), originally "a sight, look, view, appearance," hence also "a spectacle; mental appearance, idea, notion; a look; a pretext; a resemblance; a show or display," typically in passive senses; in Late Latin, "a special case;" related to specere "to look at, to see, behold" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe"). From 1550s as "appearance, outward form;" 1560s as "distinct class (of something) based on common characteristics." Biological sense is from c. 1600. Endangered species is attested by 1964.

interspecific (adj.)
"existing between species," 1889, from inter- "between" + specific, used here as an adjective to go with species.

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Definitions of specific from WordNet
1
specific (adj.)
(sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique;
demands specific to the job
a specific and detailed account of the accident
rules with specific application
specific (adj.)
stated explicitly or in detail;
needed a specific amount
specific (adj.)
relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species;
specific characters
specific (adj.)
being or affecting a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition; used also of stains or dyes used in making microscope slides;
quinine is highly specific for malaria
a specific stain is one having a specific affinity for particular structural elements
a specific remedy
2
specific (n.)
a fact about some part (as opposed to general);
Synonyms: particular
specific (n.)
a medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease;
quinine is a specific for malaria
From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near specific

specialty

speciation

specie

species

speciesism

specific

specification

specificity

specify

specimen

specious

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