Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • transitive verb To state explicitly or in detail.
  • transitive verb To include in a specification.
  • transitive verb To determine or bring about (a specific result).

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To mention specifically or explicitly; state exactly or in detail; name distinctly: as, to specify the persons concerned in a given act; to specify one's wants, or articles required.
  • To name as a requisite, as in technical specifications; set down in a specification.
  • To make specific; give a specific character to; distinguish as of a species or kind.
  • Synonyms To indicate, particularize, individualize.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb To mention or name, as a particular thing; to designate in words so as to distinguish from other things.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb transitive To state explicitly, or in detail, or as a condition.
  • verb transitive To include in a specification.
  • verb transitive To bring about a specific result.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb decide upon or fix definitely
  • verb select something or someone for a specific purpose
  • verb design or destine
  • verb be specific about
  • verb specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
  • verb determine the essential quality of
  • verb define clearly

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English specifien, from Old French specifier, from Medieval Latin specificāre, from specificus, specific; see specific.]

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Examples

  • Does the label specify which type of shampoo and conditioner I should use?

    Um, Yes, Give Me Two Of Each | Best Week Ever 2008

  • Most definitions of the term specify that automobiles are designed to run primarily on roads, to have seating for one to eight people, to typically have four wheels, and to be constructed principally for the transport of people rather than goods.

    An automobile or motor car for Auto Part 2008

  • Her labels specify when the item should be used by.

    Marcia G. Yerman: Skin Care: It Doesn't Have to be Hazardous Marcia G. Yerman 2011

  • Her labels specify when the item should be used by.

    Marcia G. Yerman: Skin Care: It Doesn't Have to be Hazardous Marcia G. Yerman 2011

  • One simply has to envision that the agent who caused the universe was able to specify from the start not only laws but much more. page 231, EoE

    Blast From the Past 2010

  • If their refusal to specify is specious (ah, the glory of alliteration!), then I think we're entitled to infer that they are hiding something.

    Balkinization 2007

  • If their refusal to specify is specious (ah, the glory of alliteration!), then I think we're entitled to infer that they are hiding something.

    Balkinization 2007

  • If their refusal to specify is specious (ah, the glory of alliteration!), then I think we're entitled to infer that they are hiding something.

    Balkinization 2007

  • What Penrose alludes to a lot but doesn't specify is us.

    A Third Choice (ID Hypothesis) 2007

  • If their refusal to specify is specious (ah, the glory of alliteration!), then I think we're entitled to infer that they are hiding something.

    Balkinization 2007

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