specialty English · revision 15220

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1300|origins=la speciēs}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈspɛʃ.əl.ti/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|specialte]], [[bor|fro|especialte]], the more vernacular form of [[m|fro|specialite]] (see [[speciality]]),^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[la-lat|speciālitās]],^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|speciālis|t=special]] (see [[special]]).^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Particular affection, special attachment or favour: about 1300 in Etymonline, about 1330 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Detail in description is from about 1380,^(OED 1989) and an unusual thing or distinctive characteristic is attested by the early 15th century.^(Etymonline) A specialized branch of learning is from the late 15th century,^(Etymonline) and a characteristic product or manufacture by 1860.^(Etymonline) The pairs specialty and speciality, like realty and reality, are vernacular and learned forms of the same word.^(Etymonline) In law a specialty is a formal contract made by deed.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – special affection.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1380 – detail.^(OED 1989)

+ * early 15th century – a distinctive feature.^(Etymonline)

+ * late 15th century – a branch of learning.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1860 – a characteristic product.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A special pursuit, skill or field of work; a branch of medicine in which a doctor [[specialize|alt=specializes]].^(AHD)

+ # A product or dish for which a person or place is well known.^(AHD)

+ # A special feature or characteristic; a [[peculiarity]].^(AHD)

+ # ''(law)'' A formal contract or obligation expressed in a [[deed]].^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[specialist]]

+ * [[subspecialty]]

+ * [[subspecialist]]

+ * [[special]]

+ * [[speciality]]

+ * [[species]]

+ * [[specialize]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}