Meaning & Definition of Specific in English

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"

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"