specialization

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree English special Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English specialize Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin -ātiōlbor. Old French -ationbor. Middle English -acioun English -ation English specialization From specialize + -ation.

1. The act or process of specializing.

   “A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”

2. The area in which someone specializes.

   “Many MBA programs now allow students to obtain a specialization in sport management. This differs from the joint degree programs in that only one degree, an MBA, is awarded (i.e., a separate master's degree in sport management is not awarded). The MBA with a sport management specialization should be considered as a second option in lieu of the joint degree.”

3. The adaptation of an organism to a specific environment, or adaptation of an organ to a particular function.

   “Specialization is frequently divided into two categories largely based on methods of study: food specialization and specialization with respect to microhabitat.”

4. A proof, axiom, problem, or definition whose cases are completely covered by another, broader concept.

   “A triangle is a specialization of a polygon to one with exactly three sides.”