specific

n. 1. (Med.) A specific remedy. See Specific, a., 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

His parents were weak enough to believe that the royal touch was a specific for this malady. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied. Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. spécifique, or NL. spesificus; L. species a particular sort or kind + facere to make. Cf. specify. ] 1. Of or pertaining to a species; characterizing or constituting a species; possessing the peculiar property or properties of a thing which constitute its species, and distinguish it from other things; as, the specific form of an animal or a plant; the specific qualities of a drug; the specific distinction between virtue and vice. [ 1913 Webster ]

Specific difference is that primary attribute which distinguishes each species from one another. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Med.) Exerting a peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaptation, and not on general principles; as, quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria. [ 1913 Webster ]

In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

Specific character (Nat. Hist.), a characteristic or characteristics distinguishing one species from every other species of the same genus. --
Specific disease (Med.) (a) A disease which produces a determinate definite effect upon the blood and tissues or upon some special tissue. (b) A disease which is itself uniformly produced by a definite and peculiar poison or organism. --
Specific duty. (Com.) See under Duty. --
Specific gravity. (Physics) See under Gravity. --
Specific heat (Physics), the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a body one degree, taking as the unit of measure the quantity required to raise the same weight of water from zero to one degree; thus, the specific heat of mercury is 0.033, that of water being 1.000. --
Specific inductive capacity (Physics), the effect of a dielectric body in producing static electric induction as compared with that of some other body or bodies referred to as a standard. --
Specific legacy (Law), a bequest of a particular thing, as of a particular animal or piece of furniture, specified and distinguished from all others. Wharton. Burrill. --
Specific name (Nat. Hist.), the name which, appended to the name of the genus, constitutes the distinctive name of the species; -- originally applied by Linnaeus to the essential character of the species, or the essential difference. The present specific name he at first called the trivial name. --
Specific performance (Law), the peformance of a contract or agreement as decreed by a court of equity. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Specific. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a specific manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being specific. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Specify. ] To show, mark, or designate the species, or the distinguishing particulars of; to specify. [ Obs. ] ir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. spécification, LL. specificatio. ] 1. The act of specifying or determining by a mark or limit; notation of limits. [ 1913 Webster ]

This specification or limitation of the question hinders the disputers from wandering away from the precise point of inquiry. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The designation of particulars; particular mention; as, the specification of a charge against an officer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A written statement containing a minute description or enumeration of particulars, as of charges against a public officer, the terms of a contract, the description of an invention, as in a patent; also, a single article, item, or particular, an allegation of a specific act, as in a charge of official misconduct. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A detailed listing or description of the required properties of some object proposed to be built or bought; -- usually used in the plural; as, the building specifications require that it withstand an earthquake of magnitude 8; the program specifications require an option to change the menus. [ PJC ]