spɪˈsɪfɪk adj. & n. --adj. 1 clearly defined;
definite (has no specific
name;
told me so in specific terms). 2 relating to a
particular subject;
peculiar (a
style specific to that). 3 a of or
concerning a
species (the specific name
for a plant). b possessing, or
concerned with,
the properties
that characterize a species (the specific forms of animals). 4 (of a
duty or a tax) assessed by
quantity or
amount,
not by the
value of goods. --n. 1
archaic a specific
medicine or
remedy. 2 a specific
aspect or
factor (shall we
discuss specifics?). øspecific
cause the cause of a particular
form of a
disease. specific
difference a factor that differentiates a species. specific disease a disease caused by
one identifiable
agent. specific
gravity =
relative density. specific
heat capacity the heat required to
raise the
temperature of the
unit mass of a
given substance by a given amount (usu. one degree). specific medicine a medicine having a
distinct effect in curing a
certain disease. specific
performance Law the performance of a
contractual duty, as ordered in cases
where damages
would not be
adequate remedy. øøspecifically adv. specificity n. specificness n. [LL specificus (as SPECIES)]
