specify

• POS: Verb (usu participle)
• HYPHEN: spec=i=fy

CIDE DICTIONARY

specify, v. t. [F. spécifier, or OF. especifier, fr. LL. specificare. See Species, -fy.].

 To mention or name, as a particular thing; to designate in words so as to distinguish from other things; as, to specify the uses of a plant; to specify articles purchased.  [1913 Webster]
"He has there given us an exact geography of Greece, where the countries and the uses of their soils are specified."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

specify, v.tr. (-ies, -ied)
1 (also absol.) name or mention expressly (specified the type he needed).
2 (usu. foll. by that + clause) name as a condition (specified that he must be paid at once).
3 include in specifications (a French window was not specified).

Derivative

specifiable adj. specifier n.

Etymology

ME f. OF specifier or LL specificare (as SPECIFIC)

THESAURUS

specify

address to, adduce, advert to, allude to, anatomize, assign, atomize, baptize, be taken as, bound, bring to attention, bring to notice, call, call attention to, christen, circle in, circumscribe, circumstantiate, cite, condition, define, delimit, delimitate, delineate, demarcate, denominate, denote, descend to particulars, designate, detail, determine, direct attention to, direct to, document, dub, emblematize, enclose, enter into detail, entitle, enumerate, establish, figure, finger, fix, focus on, give full particulars, identify, indicate, individualize, instance, inventory, itemize, label, lay off, limit, list, mark, mark boundaries, mark off, mark out, mark the periphery, mention, name, nickname, nominate, particularize, pick out, pin down, point at, point out, point to, precise, refer to, rope off, select, set, set forth, set out, set the limit, settle, signify, specialize, spell out, stake out, stand for, state, stigmatize, stipulate, style, substantiate, surround, symbol, symbolize, tag, term, title, touch on, typify

ROGET THESAURUS

specify

Nomenclature

VB name, call, term, denominate designate, style, entitle, clepe, dub, christen, baptize, characterize, specify, define, distinguish by the name of, label, be called, take the name of, bean the name of, go by the name of, be known by the name of, go under the name of, pass under the name of, rejoice in the name of.

Speciality

VB specify, particularize, individualize, realize, specialize, designate, determine, denote, indicate, point out, select, descend to particulars, enter into detail, go into detail, come to the point.

Information

VB tell, inform, inform of, acquaint, acquaint with, impart, impart to, make acquaintance with, apprise, advise, enlighten, awaken, transmit, let fall, mention, express, intimate, represent, communicate, make known, publish, notify, signify, specify, convey the knowledge of, let one know, have one to know, give one to understand, give notice, set before, lay before, put before, point out, put into one's head, put one in possession of, instruct, direct the attention to, announce, annunciate, report, report progress, bringword, send word, leave word, write word, telegraph, telephone, wire, retail, render an account, give an account, state, let slip, blurt out, spill the beans, unburden oneself of, let off one's chest, disclose, show cause, explain, hint, given an inkling of, give a hint, drop a hint, throw out a hint, insinuate, allude to, make allusion to, glance at, tip the wink, suggest, prompt, give the cue, breathe, whisper, whisper in the ear, give a bit of one's mind, tell one plainly, tell once for all, speak volumes, undeceive, unbeguile, set right, correct, open the eyes of, disabuse, disillusion one of, be informed of, know, learn, get scent of, get wind of, gather from, awaken to, open one's eyes to, become alive, become awake to, hear, overhear, understand, come to one's ears, come to one's knowledge, reach one's ears.