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Specific Very Common

Specific has 8 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Adjective

Definitions
Noun
1

a fact about some part (as opposed to general)

"he always reasons from the particular to the general"

2

a medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease

"quinine is a specific for malaria"

3

A distinguishing attribute or quality.

"The detective focused on a specific detail, noting that the suspect's scarf had a unique tear in the corner."

In plain English: A specific thing is an exact item or detail rather than a general group or idea.

"The instructions were vague until he explained the specific requirements for the form."

Usage: Use this noun to refer to a distinct characteristic that sets something apart, such as noting the specific of his unique handwriting style. It functions similarly to terms like feature or trait when describing an individual identifying mark rather than a general category.

Adjective
1

(sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique

"rules with specific application"

"demands specific to the job"

"a specific and detailed account of the accident"

2

stated explicitly or in detail

"needed a specific amount"

3

relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species

"specific characters"

4

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 remedy"

"a specific stain is one having a specific affinity for particular structural elements"

5

explicit or definite

"Please provide me with your specific instructions on how to fix the leak before I start working."

In plain English: Specific means being very clear about exactly what you are talking about instead of keeping it general.

"Please be specific about what you want for dinner so I can make it."

Example Sentences
"Please be specific about what you want for dinner so I can make it." adj
"The instructions were vague until he explained the specific requirements for the form." noun
"The specific of his plan was to arrive exactly on time." noun
"She had no idea which specific she should choose for the project." noun
"Finding a specific that fits everyone's schedule proved impossible." noun
Related Terms
specification precise specialized specificity specifically special distinguishing talking point biospecific posterity white light deduction thermospecific black letter law oligophagy task force drosha scan clonal selection capable
Antonyms
general nonspecific
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
fact medicine

Origin

The word comes from the Old French specifique, which was borrowed from Late Latin to mean "particular" or "of a specific kind." It ultimately traces back to the Latin root for "kind," emphasizing its original sense of belonging to a distinct category.

Rhyming Words
fic ific kufic mafic sufic sofic riffic unific deific moffic fanfic hanfic hetfic twific netfic altfic genfic badfic sadfic podfic
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