specificity (redirected from test specificity)

spe·cif·ic  (sp-sfk)

adj.

1. Explicitly set forth; definite. See Synonyms at explicit.

2. Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species.

3. Special, distinctive, or unique: specific qualities and attributes.

4.

a. Intended for, applying to, or acting on a particular thing: a specific remedy for warts.

b. Concerned particularly with the subject specified. Often used in combination: "age-specific voting patterns" (A. Dianne Schmidley).

5.

a. Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.

b. Having a remedial influence or effect on a particular disease.

6. Immunology Having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.

7.

a. Designating a customs charge levied on merchandise by unit or weight rather than according to value.

b. Designating a commodity rate applicable to the transportation of a single commodity between named points.

n.

1.

a. Something particularly fitted to a use or purpose.

b. A remedy intended for a particular ailment or disorder.

2.

a. A distinguishing quality or attribute.

b. specifics Distinct items or details; particulars.

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[Late Latin specificus : Latin specis, kind, species; see species + Latin -ficus, -fic.]

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spe·cifi·cal·ly adv.

speci·fici·ty (sps-fs-t) n.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	specificity - the quality of being specific rather than general; "add a desirable note of specificity to the discussion"; "the specificity of the symptoms of the disease" particularity, specialness - the quality of being particular and pertaining to a specific case or instance; "the particularity of human situations"
	2.	specificity - the quality of being specific to a particular organism; "host specificity of a parasite" particularity, specialness - the quality of being particular and pertaining to a specific case or instance; "the particularity of human situations"