Related Searches
Nearby Words
Synonyms

specialize

 [spesh-uh-lahyz]   Origin

spe·cial·ize

   [spesh-uh-lahyz] verb, -ized, -iz·ing.
verb (used without object)
1.
to pursue some special line of study, work, etc.; have a specialty: The doctor specializes in gastroenterology.
2.
Biology. (of an organism or one of its organs) to be adapted to a special function or environment.
verb (used with object)
3.
to render special or specific; invest with a special character, function, etc.
4.
to adapt to special conditions; restrict to specific limits.
5.
to restrict payment of (a negotiable instrument) by endorsing over to a specific payee.
6.
to specify; particularize.

:10

:09

:08

:07

:06

:05

:04

:03

:02

:01

Specialize is always a great word to know.
So is selection. Does it mean:
the series of living phenomena exhibited by an organism in the course of its development from inception to death
a process that results in differential reproduction among a population so that the inheritable traits of only certain individuals are passed on
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Also, especially British, spe·cial·ise.

Origin:
1605–15; < French spécialiser. See special, -ize

Related forms
spe·cial·i·za·tion, noun
non·spe·cial·ized, adjective
non·spe·cial·iz·ing, adjective
o·ver·spe·cial·ize, verb, -ized, -iz·ing.
pre·spe·cial·ize, verb (used without object), -ized, -iz·ing.
EXPAND
sub·spe·cial·ize, verb, -ized, -iz·ing.
su·per·spe·cial·ize, verb (used without object), -ized, -iz·ing.
un·spe·cial·ized, adjective
un·spe·cial·iz·ing, adjective
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To specialize
Collins
World English Dictionary
specialize or specialise (ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪz)
 
—vb
1.  (intr) to train in or devote oneself to a particular area of study, occupation, or activity
2.  (usually passive) to cause (organisms or their parts) to develop in a way most suited to a particular environment or way of life or (of organisms, etc) to develop in this way
3.  (tr) to modify or make suitable for a special use or purpose
4.  (tr) to mention specifically; specify
5.  (tr) to endorse (a commercial paper) to a specific payee
 
specialise or specialise
 
—vb
 
speciali'zation or specialise
 
—n
 
speciali'sation or specialise
 
—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

specialize
1616, "to indicate specially," from special (q.v.). Sense of "engage in a special study or line of business" is first attested 1881; biological sense is from 1851. Specialzation is recorded from 1843. Specialist is first attested 1856 (originally in the medical sense).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

specialize spe·cial·ize (spěsh'ə-līz')
v. spe·cial·ized, spe·cial·iz·ing, spe·cial·iz·es

  1. To limit one's profession to a particular specialty or subject area for study, research, or treatment.

  2. To adapt to a particular function or environment.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriThesaurus
Dictionary.com, LLC. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.
About Privacy Policy Terms of Use API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT
How many words do you know? FIND OUT