specialist
UK: ˈspeʃəlɪst | US: ˈspeʃəlɪst
n. a person who specializes in a particular field of study or work
n. an expert in a specific branch of medicine or science
specialist = special<particular> + ist<one who practices>
- special (from Latin specialis, meaning "individual, particular," derived from species "kind, form")
- ist (suffix from Greek -istes or Latin -ista, denoting "a person who practices or is concerned with something")
Etymology Origin:
The word "specialist" emerged in the early 17th century, combining "special" (highlighting uniqueness or focus) with the agentive suffix "-ist." It reflects the growing professionalization of knowledge, where individuals dedicate themselves to mastering narrow, advanced fields. The term originally applied to scholars and later expanded to medicine, science, and technical disciplines.
She consulted a heart specialist for her condition.
The museum hired a specialist in ancient Egyptian artifacts.
As a cybersecurity specialist, he identifies vulnerabilities in systems.
The conference gathered specialists from various fields.
He became a specialist in marine biology after years of research.