specialty

spe·cial·ty

noun, often attributive \ˈspe-shəl-tē\

plural spe·cial·ties

Definition of SPECIALTY

1

: a distinctive mark or quality

2

a : a special object or class of objects: as (1) : a legal agreement embodied in a sealed instrument (2) : a product of a special kind or of special excellence <fried chicken is my specialty> b : the state of being special, distinctive, or peculiar

3

: something in which one specializes

Examples of SPECIALTY

1. Buttermilk pie is a Southern specialty.
2. <a doctor with a specialty in internal medicine>

Origin of SPECIALTY

Middle English specialte, from Anglo-French especialté, from Late Latin specialitat-, specialitas, from Latin specialis special

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SPECIALTY

Synonyms: area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, field, sphere, terrain, walk

Related Words: frontier; study, subject; territory, turf; occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation; ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confine, dimension(s), extent, ken, reach, scope, sweep, width; subfield, subspecialty

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