specialise
UK: ˈspeʃəlaɪz | US: ˈspeʃəlaɪz
vi. to focus on a particular area of study or work
vt. to adapt or tailor something for a specific purpose
specialise = special<particular> + ise<verb suffix>
- special: From Latin specialis (meaning "individual, particular"), derived from species (appearance, kind).
- ise: A verb-forming suffix of Greek/Latin origin (via French -iser), indicating "to make" or "to become."
Etymology Origin:
The word specialise emerged in the early 19th century, combining special (highlighting uniqueness) with -ise (action suffix). It reflects the scientific and industrial era’s need to describe focused expertise. The root species originally denoted "appearance" in Latin, later narrowing to "distinct kind," which aligns with specialise’s modern sense of targeted differentiation.
Many doctors specialise in treating rare diseases.
The workshop will help you specialise your skills for the tech industry.
Birds’ beaks are specialised for their specific diets.
She decided to specialise in environmental law after graduation.
The company specialises in handmade leather goods.