specific
UK/spiˈsifik/US/spi'sifik/
NGSL 1kIELTSTOEFLA2
Definitions
adj.
Clearly defined or identified; precise.
具体的；明确的
adj.
Relating to a particular subject, area, or kind.
特定的；专门的
adj.
(Medical) effective against a particular disease.
（医学）特效的；对症的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedspec (look, kind) + -ific (making) = 'making a particular kind.' Something specific is of one particular look/type, not vague.
Root sp still carries 131 more wordsUsage Guide
- General: 'be specific,' 'specific examples' — concrete, not vague
- Limited to: 'context-specific,' 'gender-specific,' 'industry-specific' — restricted to one domain
- Pattern: «specific to» — exclusive to: «a problem specific to mobile devices»
- Compare: «in particular» / «specifically» / «namely»
Example Sentences
- 1.
Could you be more specific?
- 2.
The disease is specific to one breed of dog.