English
specifical
Specifical comes from Latin specificus ‘specific, particular’, from speciēs ‘kind’, and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *speḱ- ‘to see, to look, to observe’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*speḱ-‘to see, to look, to observe’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*spéḱyeti‘to be looking at, to keep looking at’reconstructed
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*spekjō‘to observe, see’reconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEspeciō‘to observe, watch, look at’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEspeciēs‘kind’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEspecificus‘specific, particular’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500specificalle
- Englishearliest quotation 1627specifical
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*speḱ-‘to see, to look, to observe’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*spéḱyeti‘to be looking at, to keep looking at’reconstructed
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*spekjō‘to observe, see’reconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEspeciō‘to observe, watch, look at’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEspeciēs‘kind’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEspecificus‘specific, particular’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500specificalle
- Englishearliest quotation 1627specifical
Earliest quotation: 1627, I. Century.: “it is referred to a hidden propriety , a…”
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *speḱ- ‘to see, to look, to observe’
spy, suspicion, espionage, microscope, skeptic, kaleidoscope, gyroscope, espy, 118 more
through Proto-Indo-European *spéḱyeti ‘to be looking at, to keep looking at’
scope, skeptical, macroscopic, endoscopic, spectroscopic, 116 more
through Proto-Italic *spekjō ‘to observe, see’
speculation, speculative, speculate, inconspicuous, specular, 28 more
through Latin speciō ‘to observe, watch, look at’
despite, respect, perspective, aspect, spite, inspector, spectrum, inspection, expectation, spectacular, spectacle, inspect, retrospective, conspicuous, spectator, retrospect, expectant, specter, speculator, circumspect, 30 more
through Latin speciēs ‘kind’
Today it means
adj Synonym of specific.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *speḱ- / specifical