First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
specify
transitive verb spec·i·fy \ˈspe-sə-ˌfī\
: to name or mention (someone or something) exactly and clearly : to be specific about (something)
spec·i·fiedspec·i·fy·ing
Full Definition of SPECIFY
1
: to name or state explicitly or in detail
2
: to include as an item in a specification
— spec·i·fi·able \ˌspe-sə-ˈfī-ə-bəl\ adjective
— spec·i·fi·er \ˈspe-sə-ˌfī(-ə)r\ noun
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Origin of SPECIFY
Middle English specifien, from Anglo-French specifier, from Late Latin specificare, from specificus
SPECIFY Defined for Kids
specify
verb spec·i·fy \ˈspe-sə-ˌfī\
spec·i·fiedspec·i·fy·ing
Definition of SPECIFY for Kids
1
: to mention or name exactly and clearly <Can you specify the cause of the crash?>
2
: to include in a description of work to be done or materials to be used
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