Etymologically
Log in

specialty

Etymology and origin of the English word specialty

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
c. 1300
Borrowed from
Old French especialte via Middle English
Ultimate origin
Latin (speciēs)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈspɛʃ.əl.ti/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English specialte, borrowed from Old French especialte, the more vernacular form of specialite (see speciality),[2][3][4] from Late Latin speciālitās,[3] from speciālis (“special”) (see special).[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Particular affection, special attachment or favour: about 1300 in Etymonline, about 1330 in the OED.[2][5]

Semantic evolution

Detail in description is from about 1380,[5] and an unusual thing or distinctive characteristic is attested by the early 15th century.[2] A specialized branch of learning is from the late 15th century,[2] and a characteristic product or manufacture by 1860.[2] The pairs specialty and speciality, like realty and reality, are vernacular and learned forms of the same word.[2] In law a specialty is a formal contract made by deed.[6]

Timeline

  • c. 1300 – special affection.[2]
  • c. 1380 – detail.[5]
  • early 15th century – a distinctive feature.[2]
  • late 15th century – a branch of learning.[2]
  • 1860 – a characteristic product.[2]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A special pursuit, skill or field of work; a branch of medicine in which a doctor specializes.
  2. A product or dish for which a person or place is well known.
  3. A special feature or characteristic; a peculiarity.
  4. (law) A formal contract or obligation expressed in a deed.

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Specialty.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/specialty. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·