Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (a.) Of or pertaining to a species; characterizing or constituting a species; possessing the peculiar property or properties Of a thing which constitute its species, and distinguish it from other things; as, the specific form Of an animal or a plant; the specific qualities Of a drug; the specific distinction between virtue and vice.

2. (a.) Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement.

3. (a.) Exerting a peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaptation, and not on general principles; as, quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.

4. (n.) A specific remedy. See Specific, a., 3.

5. (a.) Anything having peculiar adaptation to the purpose to which it is applied.