specialty
UK: ˈspeʃəlti | US: ˈspeʃəlti
n. a particular area of study or expertise
n. a product or service specialized in by a person or business
n. (archaic) a distinctive quality or characteristic
specialty = special<particular> + ty<noun suffix>
- special: From Latin specialis (meaning "individual, particular"), derived from species (appearance, kind).
- ty: A noun-forming suffix of Latin origin (-tas), indicating a state or condition.
Etymology Origin:
The word "specialty" evolved from the Latin specialis, which emphasized uniqueness or distinction. Over time, the suffix -ty was added to nominalize the concept, turning "special" into "specialty"—a term denoting a focused area of skill or a distinctive product. The shift from "particular quality" to "field of expertise" reflects societal specialization in trades and professions.
Her specialty is molecular biology.
The restaurant’s specialty is handmade pasta.
He chose law as his specialty early in his career.
This shop’s specialty is rare books.
The artist’s specialty lies in vibrant abstract paintings.