specific

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?).
Phrases and idioms:
specific 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.
Derivatives:
specifically adv. specificity n. specificness n.
Etymology: LL specificus (as SPECIES)