1.a fact about some part (as opposed to general);
he always reasons from the particular to the general
2.a medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease;
quinine is a specific for malaria
3.(sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique;
rules with specific application
4.stated explicitly or in detail;
needed a specific amount
5.relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species;
specific characters
6.being or affecting a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition; used also of stains or dyes used in making microscope slides;
quinine is highly specific for malaria