| 释义 |
speˈcifical, a. and n. Now rare.
[f. med.L. specific-us (see specific a. and n.) + -al1.]
A. adj.
1. = specific a. 2. † Also of division: Resulting in the separation of species.
1432–50tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 27 In the maner of a diuision genericalle in to a diuision specificalle. 1570J. Dee Math. Pref. B iij b, The specificall order and forme, due to euery seede. 1637Gillespie Eng. Pop. Cerem. iv. ii. 4 The specificall nature of that action. 1682Norris Hierocles 6 Which so retain their Connexion in their specifical distinction & conjunction. a1703Burkitt On. N.T. 1 Cor. xi. 7 Consider the woman according to her specifical nature. 1751R. Shirra in Rem. (1850) 150 The first regeneration is a specifical change—a change from nature to grace. 1815Chalmers Posth. Wks. (1849) VI. 278 The great and specifical end of that affecting solemnity.
b. = specific a. 2 b.
1621Burton Anat. Mel. i. i. iii. i. 46 Omitting the specificall difference. 1678Cudworth Intell. Syst. 799 According to the best Philosophy, which acknowledges no Essential or Specifical Difference of Matter. 1713Derham Phys.-Theol. viii. vi. 425, I could not perceive any difference, at least, not specifical, between the Flies coming from these two productions.
2. = specific a. 1.
1610Healey St. Aug. Citie of God. viii. vi. 308 Alcinous saith..that God is incomprehensible,..not definable, nor specificall. 1644Digby Nat. Bodies xxiv. (1658) 273 Generation is not made..by a specifical worker within. 1648Milton Tenure Kings (1650) 39 Having..clad him over, like another specifical thing, with formes and habitudes destructive to the former.
3. Med. = specific a. 3 a.
1604F. Herring Mod. Defence 21 The specificall Antidot of the Pest is yet vnknowen. 1612Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. (1653) 209 All minerals shew themselves in operation to be specifical. 1660tr. Paracelsus' Archidoxis i. vii. 102 As..Water quencheth Fire, even so doth the Specifical Anodine extinguish Diseases.
4. = specific a. 4 a and 4 b.
1768Blackstone Comm. III. ix. 154 The proper remedy is by action of debt, to compel the performance of the contract and recover the specifical sum due. 1781Gentl. Mag. LI. 616 Matadores in Spanish are murderers, and the specifical cards so called do cut down and murder all the rest.
5. Zool. and Bot. = specific a. 5.
1761Phil. Trans. LII. 84. I only mention this species, to determine its specifical character. 1790R. Pulteney Hist. Sk. Bot. in Eng. i. v. 69 Allowing for the time when specifical distinctions were not established,..the number [of plants] he was acquainted with is much beyond what could easily have been imagined.
6. Limited to a special sense.
1778Gentl. Mag. XLVIII. 407/1 It is not uncommon for a general word to become specifical.
B. n.
1. = specific n. 1.
1651Biggs New Disp. ⁋134 By adding strong specificals. 1656Ridgley Pract. Physick 61 Specificals are, the whitest dung of a Wolf [etc.].
2. A person representing a class.
1651N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. ii. xl. (1739) 176 This is done in the Convention of States, which in the first times consisted of Individuals, rather than Specificals. |