The word "specific" is an adjective that means something is clear, exact, and focused on a particular thing or detail. When we say something is "specific," we are talking about something that is not general or vague but rather detailed and precise.
Usage Instructions:
Use "specific" when you want to describe something that is particular or distinct from others.
It can be used in various contexts, such as instructions, descriptions, or examples.
Examples:
Everyday Usage: "Can you give me a specific example of what you mean?" (Here, the speaker is asking for a detailed example rather than a general one.)
Medical Context: "Quinine is a specific treatment for malaria." (In this case, "specific" means that quinine works particularly well for malaria and is not a general treatment for all diseases.)
Advanced Usage:
In more advanced contexts, "specific" can refer to detailed characteristics or features that distinguish one thing from another. For example, in science, a "specific" stain in microscopy is designed to highlight certain structures in a sample, making it easier to study.
Word Variants:
Specifically (adverb): This means in a specific manner. For example, "I specifically asked you to bring the red book."
Specificity (noun): This refers to the quality of being specific. For example, "The specificity of the study helps us understand the results better."
Different Meanings:
In a medical context, "specific" often refers to treatments that target particular diseases or conditions.
In general use, it can refer to clear and detailed statements or instructions.
Synonyms:
Particular
Distinct
Precise
Detailed
Explicit
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
While "specific" itself doesn't have common idioms or phrasal verbs, you might see phrases like: - "Specific to" (as in "This rule is specific to our team.") which indicates that something applies only to a certain situation or group.