Specific vs Special - What's the difference?
specific | special |
explicit or definite
(sciences) Pertaining to a species.
*2008 , (Richard Dawkins), The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing , Oxford 2009, p. 3:
*:Science and literature, then, are the two achievements of Homo sapiens that most convincingly justify the specific name.
(taxonomy) pertaining to a taxon at the rank of species
special, distinctive or unique
intended for, or applying to a particular thing
being a remedy for a particular disease
* Coleridge
(immunology) limited to a particular antibody or antigen
(physics) of a value divided by mass (e.g. specific orbital energy)
(physics) similarly referring to a value divided by any measure which acts to standardize it (e.g. thrust specific fuel consumption, referring to fuel consumption divided by thrust)
(physics) a measure compared with a standard reference value by division, to produce a ratio without unit or dimension (e.g. specific refractive index is a pure number, and is relative to that of air)
A distinguishing attribute or quality.
Something particularly adapted for a particular use, as a remedy for a particular disorder
Specification
(in the plural) The details; particulars.
Distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.
Of particular interest or value; certain; dear; beloved; favored.
(euphemistic, derogatory) Retarded; mentally handicapped
Constituting or relating to a species.
Chief in excellence.
* Shakespeare
A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.
(broadcasting) Unusual or exceptional episode of a series
(British, colloquial) A special constable.
Anything that is not according to normal practice, plan, or schedule, as an unscheduled run of transportation that is normally scheduled.
(video games) special move
* 1995 , "Tony Pordon", Tekken Review [PSX]'' (on newsgroup ''rec.games.video.misc )
As adjectives the difference between specific and special
is that specific is explicit or definite while special is distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.As nouns the difference between specific and special
is that specific is a distinguishing attribute or quality while special is a reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.specific
English
Alternative forms
* specifick (obsolete)Adjective
(en adjective)- Quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
- In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science.
Antonyms
* all-purpose * broad * general * general-purpose * generic * gross * nonspecific * overall * pandemic * universal * unspecific * widespreadDerived terms
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *See also
* genericNoun
(en noun)Derived terms
*External links
* * * ----special
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- a special episode of a television series
- Everyone is special to someone.
- He goes to a special school.
- The seven dark spots is a special property unique to ''Coccinella septempunctata''.
- The king hath drawn / The special head of all the land together.
Derived terms
* special attack * special constable * special defense * special delivery * special education / special ed * special forces * specialisation / specialization * specialise / specialize * specialist * speciality, specialty * specially * specialness * Special Olympics * special opsNoun
(en noun)- We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.
- Thousands came to see the special that carried the President's coffin.
- Using the right moves, you can sometimes chain 2 specials in a row to form multiple hit combos.