specializedadj.
/ˈspɛʃəlʌɪzd/, /ˈspɛʃl̩ʌɪzd/, U.S. /ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪzd/ 1.
a. Narrow or specific in focus; developed so as to have a special character or function; resulting from in-depth study of a particular area.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > [adjective] > rendered special
specialized1645
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > [adjective] > specialized or specially adapted
specialized1645
patent1837
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > [adjective] > able to be > specially adapted
specialized1645
1645 T. Urquhart Trissotetras sig. Ov Individuated, brought to the lowest division, vide, Specialised.
1852 J. R. Ballantyne in V. Śástrí tr. F. Bacon Novum Organum i. i. §iii. 75 What is designated in the Nyáya as savikalpaka-jnána ‘specialized knowledge’.
1865 J. Lubbock Prehist. Times ix. 280 Numerous and specialised as are our modern instruments, who would care to describe the exact use of a knife?
1874 H. Sidgwick Methods of Ethics i. iii. 28 The sentiment of veracity, courage, purity, &c. But each such specialized sentiment in its normal state includes..the more general impulse to do right.
1885 F. W. H. Myers Ess. II. 63 Laws of which our highest generalisations may be but the specialised case or the incidental aspect.
1924 J. Galsworthy White Monkey ii. ix, in Mod. Comedy (1929) 149 I don't want to be swanky, but ours is a rather specialised business.
1969 Datamation Jan. 33/1 The complexity of the products and services being rendered requires the involvement of their specialized skills.
1993 V. R. Cardozier Colleges & Universities World War II 28 [The preengineering curriculum]..was followed by advanced studies in specialized fields of engineering.
2012 Times (Nexis) 25 Aug. 85 The famously gruelling specialised training of the Royal Marines will be on offer to members of the public.
b. Biology. Having a form or function suited to a specific situation; exhibiting specialization (specialization n. 2a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > evolution > [adjective] > specialization
specialized1854
specializing1861
gerontomorphic1939
the world > life > biology > biological processes > evolution > [adjective] > adapted or specialized
specialized1854
adapted1859
maladaptive1931
fit1959
1854 R. Owen Struct. Skeleton & Teeth in Orr's Circle Sci.: Org. Nature I. 205 The modified or specialized character of the elements of the cranial vertebræ has gained for them special names.
1870 G. Rolleston Forms Animal Life 16 There are no specialized renal arteries in birds.
1916 Goshen (Indiana) Daily Democrat 13 Dec. 5/3 It is one of the most highly specialized species of existing bats.
1958 W. E. Swinton Fossil Amphibians & Reptiles (ed. 2) vii. 39 Their teeth are specialized and bear close similarity to those of the multituberculate mammals.
2010 Nature 22July 433/1 The mosquitofish..is a specialized predator.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [adjective] > going into detail > specially mentioned or indicated
assignedc1374
assignate1471
specified1645
denominated1750
express1848
specialized1893
1893 F. W. L. Adams New Egypt 157 I fancy..that the very manner of the specialised passage is identic.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1645