Library / English Dictionary

SPECIALIZE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment

Synonyms:

differentiate; specialise; specialize; speciate

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "specialize" is one way to...):

evolve (undergo development or evolution)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Derivation:

specialization ((biology) the structural adaptation of some body part for a particular function)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Become more focused on an area of activity or field of study

Example:

She specializes in Near Eastern history

Synonyms:

narrow; narrow down; specialise; specialize

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "specialize" is one way to...):

alter; change; vary (become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "specialize"):

overspecialise; overspecialize (become overly specialized)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP

Antonym:

diversify (vary in order to spread risk or to expand)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Suit to a special purpose

Example:

this kind of beak has become specialized in certain Galapagos finches

Synonyms:

specialise; specialize

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "specialize" is one way to...):

modify (make less severe or harsh or extreme)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

specialization (the act of specializing; making something suitable for a special purpose)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Be specific about

Example:

Could you please specify your criticism of my paper?

Synonyms:

particularise; particularize; specialise; specialize; specify

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "specialize" is one way to...):

dilate; elaborate; enlarge; expand; expatiate; exposit; expound; flesh out; lucubrate (add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "specialize"):

spell out (make explicit; specify in detail)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Sense 5

Meaning:

Devote oneself to a special area of work

Example:

This baker specializes in French bread

Synonyms:

specialise; specialize

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "specialize" is one way to...):

work (exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

specialist (an expert who is devoted to one occupation or branch of learning)

specialist (practices one branch of medicine)

specialization (the special line of work you have adopted as your career)

specializer (an expert who is devoted to one occupation or branch of learning)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Muscle tissue is composed of specialized contractile cells.

(Muscle Tissue, NCI Thesaurus)

Cells specialized to detect and transduce light.

(Murine Photoreceptors, Vertebrate, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Glandular production of a hormone or other substance which will perform a specialized function outside the gland.

(Cellular Secretion, NIH CRISP Thesaurus)

A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system.

(Neurologist, NCI Dictionary)

A small mass of tissue within a gland or organ that carries out the specialized functions of the gland or organ.

(Nodular parenchyma, NCI Dictionary)

These specialized pigment cells expand and contract and push the pigment to the surface.

(Octopuses can dream, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

A doctor who specializes in treating cancer.

(Medical oncologist, NCI Thesaurus)

The process during which young, immature (unspecialized) cells take on individual characteristics and reach their mature (specialized) form and function.

(Cell differentiation, NCI Dictionary)

Cell junction is the specialized focal contact between cell-cell or cell-matrix in all tissues.

(Cell Junction, NCI Thesaurus)

It consists of a specialized arrangement of 9 doublet microtubules in a ring with or without a core of 2 microtubules and is enclosed in a plasma membrane coat.

(Cilium, NCI Thesaurus)