a. and sb. Now rare. [f. med.L. specific-us (see prec.) + -AL.]

1

  A.  adj. 1. = SPECIFIC a. 2. † Also of division: Resulting in the separation of species.

2

1432–50.  trans. Higden (Rolls), I. 27. In the maner of a diuision genericalle in to a diuision specificalle.

3

1570.  J. Dee, Math. Pref., B iij b. The specificall order and forme, due to euery seede.

4

1637.  Gillespie, Eng.-Pop. Cerem., IV. ii. 4. The specificall nature of that action.

5

1682.  Norris, Hierocles, 6. Which so retain their Connexion in their specifical distinction & conjunction.

6

a. 1703.  Burkitt, On N. T., 1 Cor. xi. 7. Consider the woman according to her specifical nature.

7

1751.  R. Shirra, in Rem. (1850), 150. The first regeneration is a specifical change—a change from nature to grace.

8

1815.  Chalmers, Posth. Wks. (1849), VI. 278. The great and specifical end of that affecting solemnity.

9

  b.  = SPECIFIC a. 2 b.

10

1621.  Burton, Anat. Mel., I. i. III. i. 46. Omitting the specificall difference.

11

1678.  Cudworth, Intell. Syst., 799. According to the best Philosophy, which acknowledges no Essential or Specifical Difference of Matter.

12

1713.  Derham, Phys.-Theol., VIII. vi. 425. I could not perceive any difference, at least, not specifical, between the Flies coming from these two productions.

13

  2.  = SPECIFIC a. 1.

14

1610.  Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, VIII. vi. 308. Alcinous saith … that God is incomprehensible,… not definable, nor specificall.

15

1644.  Digby, Nat. Bodies, xxiv. (1658), 273. Generation is not made … by a specifical worker within.

16

1648.  Milton, Tenure Kings (1650), 39. Having … clad him over, like another specifical thing, with formes and habitudes destructive to the former.

17

  3.  Med. = SPECIFIC a. 3 a.

18

1604.  F. Hering, Mod. Defence, 21. The specificall Antidot of the Pest is yet vnknowen.

19

1612.  Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 209. All minerals shew themselves in operation to be specifical.

20

1660.  trans. Paracelsus’ Archidoxis, I. VII. 102. As … Water quencheth Fire, even so doth the Specifical Anodine extinguish Diseases.

21

  4.  = SPECIFIC a. 4 a and 4 b.

22

1768.  Blackstone, 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.

23

1781.  Gentl. Mag., LI. 616. Matadores in Spanish are murderers, and the specifical cards so called do cut down and murder all the rest.

24

  5.  Zool. and Bot. = SPECIFIC a. 5.

25

1761.  Phil. Trans., LII. 84. I only mention this species, to determine its specifical character.

26

1790.  R. 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.

27

  6.  Limited to a special sense.

28

1778.  Gentl. Mag., XLVIII. 407/1. It is not uncommon for a general word to become specifical.

29

  B.  sb. 1. = SPECIFIC sb. 1.

30

1651.  Biggs, New Disp., ¶ 134. By adding strong specificals.

31

1656.  Ridgley, Pract. Physick, 61. Specificals are, the whitest dung of a Wolf [etc.].

32

  2.  A person representing a class.

33

1651.  N. 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.

34