non-specific
|non-spe-cif-ic|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑːn.spəˈsɪf.ɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒn.spəˈsɪf.ɪk/
(specific)
clearly defined
Etymology
Etymology Information
'non-specific' originates from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and the word 'specific' from Latin 'specificus', where 'species' meant 'kind' or 'form'.
Historical Evolution
'specificus' transformed into the English word 'specific', and the prefix 'non-' was added to form 'non-specific'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'not of a particular kind', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not detailed or exact; lacking specificity.
The instructions were non-specific, leaving room for interpretation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41