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Origin and history of specification

specification(n.)

1610s, "act of investing with some quality," from Medieval Latin specificationem (nominative specificatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of Late Latin specificare "mention particularly," from Latin specificus (see specific).

The meaning "technical particular, article, or item that has been described in detail" is attested from 1833, originally in patent law, where it refers to the applicant's description of the construction and use of the device; short form spec for this is attested by 1956.

also from 1610s

Entries linking to specification

spec(n.)

by 1794, American English, as a shortening of speculation. By 1926 in circus slang as a shortening of spectacle. By 1956 as "detailed description or standard," especially in manufacturing and construction, short for specification. Related: Specs.

specific(adj.)

1630s, "having a special quality," from French spécifique and directly from Late Latin specificus "constituting a kind or sort" (in Medieval Latin "specific, particular"), from Latin species "kind, sort" (see species) + -ficus "making, doing," from combining form of facere "to make."

The earlier form was specifical (early 15c., specificalle, "narrow, specific"). The meaning "precise, regarding a definite subject, in accord with what is determined" is recorded by 1740. Related: Specifically; specificness; specificalness.

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    Greek myllos, name of a Pontic fish, which perhaps is related to melos "black" (see melano-), but "As there is no further specification...
    formula
    In motor racing, "class or specification of a car" (usually by engine size), 1927....
    designation
    marking out," from Old French designacion or directly from Latin designationem (nominative designatio) "a marking out, specification...
    ambrotype
    ["Specification of the Patent granted to James A....
    document
    early 15c., "a doctrine;" late 15c., "teaching, instruction" (senses now obsolete), from Old French document (13c.) "lesson, written evidence" and directly from Latin documentum "example, proof, lesson," in Medieval Latin "official written instrument, authoritative paper," from d
    restriction
    early 15c., restriccioun, "a cessation, the property of staunching bleeding," from Old French restriction (14c.) and directly from Late Latin restrictionem (nominative restrictio) "limitation," noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin restringere "restrict, bind fast, re
    description
    late 14c., descripcioun, "act of delineating or depicting," from Old French description (12c.) and directly from Latin descriptionem (nominative descriptio) "representation, description, copy," noun of action from past-participle stem of describere "write down, transcribe, copy,
    confinement
    1620s, "state of being confined; any restraint by force, necessity, or obstacle," from French confinement (16c.; the Old French word was confinacion), from confiner "to border; to shut up, enclose" (see confine). As "restraint from going abroad by childbirth," perhaps a euphemism

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