Specialize

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Specialize \Spe"cial*ize\, v. t.
     1. To mention specially; to particularize.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To apply to some specialty or limited object; to assign to
        a specific use; as, specialized knowledge.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Biol.) To supply with an organ or organs having a special
        function or functions.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  specialize
       v 1: become more special; "We specialize in dried flowers" [syn:
            {specialise}, {narrow}, {narrow down}] [ant: {diversify},
             {diversify}]
       2: be specific about; "Could you please specify your criticism
          of my paper?" [syn: {specify}, {particularize}, {particularise},
           {specialise}] [ant: {generalize}]
       3: suit to a special purpose; "specialize one's research" [syn:
           {specialise}]
       4: devote oneself to a special area of work; "She specializes
          in honey bees"; "This plumber specialized in jacuzzis"
          [syn: {specialise}]
       5: evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way
          most suited to the environment [syn: {speciate}, {differentiate},
           {specialise}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  86 Moby Thesaurus words for "specialize":
     analyze, anatomize, assign, atomize, be into, be strong in, bound,
     change, chop logic, condition, confine, contain, copyright,
     denominate, descend to particulars, designate, desynonymize,
     detail, determine, difference, differentiate, discipline,
     discriminate, disequalize, disjoin, distinguish, diversify, divide,
     draw the line, enumerate, feature, fix, follow, go in for,
     hedge about, indicate, individualize, individuate, inventory,
     itemize, limit, list, major in, make a distinction, mark, mark off,
     mark out, mention, minor in, moderate, modify, name, narrow,
     particularize, patent, peculiarize, personalize, pick out,
     pin down, point out, precise, pursue, qualify,
     refine a distinction, register, restrain, restrict, scant,
     segregate, select, separate, set, set apart, set off, sever,
     severalize, signify, specialize in, specify, spell out,
     split hairs, state, stint, stipulate, straiten, vary