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specific
speak-eas-y /'spi:kˌi:zi/ n (especially in the US in the 1920s
and 1930s) a place for going to buy and drink alcohol
illegally. Speakeasies were often connected with GANGSTERS
and seen as exciting, wicked places. → see also PROHIBITION
speak-er /'spi:kə/ n 1 a person making a speech, or who
makes speeches in a stated way: Our first speaker tonight is
Mr Postlethwaite. | an entertaining after-dinner
speaker 2 [(of)] a person who speaks a particular language: a
speaker of English/an English speaker 3 that part of a radio
or record player from which sound comes out: a pair of
speakers
Speaker n the person who officially controls the meetings and
discussions in the British House of Commons. The Speaker is
elected by MPs, and is not allowed to give any advantages to a
particular political party. The Speaker is addressed as 'Mister
Speaker' or 'Madam Speaker', and is known for shouting
'Order! Order!' if discussions become too noisy.
Speaker of the 'House n the person who officially
controls the meetings and discussions in the US HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES. The political party that has the most Rep-
resentatives is allowed to suggest someone for the Speaker's
position, and then all the members of the House vote on this
choice.
speak-er-phone /'spi:kəfounll-kar-/ n especially AmE a tele-
phone that contains a MICROPHONE and a LOUDSPEAKER, so
that you can use it without holding it. Speakerphones are
especially used in business meetings when groups of people in
different places want to talk to each other.
Speaker's 'Corner an area in the northeast corner of HYDE
PARK in London, where ordinary people can go, especially
on Sunday mornings, to publicly discuss their opinions
about politics and other subjects. Anyone can go there and
make a speech about any subject, and other people listen to
them and sometimes argue with them. People often stand
on a box to make their speeches. → see also SOAPBOX
speaking 'clock n [the] a telephone service in Britain
which continuously tells the time
'speaking tube n a pipe through which people in different
rooms in a house, on a ship etc, may speak to one another
spear¹ /spɪər/ n 1 a pole with a sharp point at one end used
especially formerly by soldiers and hunters as a weapon: to
hurl a spear 2 a young thin pointed leaf or stem growing
directly from the ground: asparagus spears
spear² v [T] to make a hole in or catch (as if) with the point
of a spear: He reached out and speared a piece of her meat
with his fork. | The hunters were spearing fish in the stream.
spear-head¹ /'spɪəhed||'spɪər-/ n [(of) usually sing.] a person or
group that begins and leads an attack or course of action
forcefully
spearhead² v [T] to lead forcefully: Which of the opposition
parties is going to spearhead the attack on the government?
spear-mint /'spɪəˌmɪnt||'spɪər-/ n [U] a common MINT plant
widely grown and used for its fresh taste: spearmint chewing
gum | spearmint(flavoured) toothpaste
Spears, Brit-ney /spɪəz||spɪərz, 'brɪtni/ (1981–) a US singer
who first became famous when she was a teenager. She is
known for being sexually attractive and for dressing and
performing in a way that is sexually exciting.
spec /spek/ n on spec BrE infml as a risk or SPECULATION: I
bought some oil shares on spec. | We haven't booked a hotel in
advance, we're going on spec.
spe-cial¹ /'speʃəl/ adj 1 of a particular kind; not ordinary,
regular, or usual: This is a special case, deserving special
treatment. | They've put on a special train to take the support-
ers to the match. | children with special educational needs |
Why should you get more than anyone else? What's so special
about you? | I only wear this suit on special occasions. 2 also
espe·cial fm — particularly great; to an unusually great
degree: She's a special friend of mine. | Take special care
tonight because the roads are icy. → see also SPECIALLY
special² n 1 something that is not of the regular or ordinary
kind: Are you going to the match on the football special or the
ordinary train? | a two-hour television special on the African
famine 2 AmE infml an advertised reduced price in a shop:
They're having a special on ice cream this week. | Ice cream is
on special this week only!
,special 'agent also FBI agent n AmE a person who works
for the FBI
'Special Branch n [U] a department of the British police
force that deals with political crimes or crimes affecting the
safety of the government, for example TERRORISM
,special 'constable n (in Britain) a person who has another
job but who is employed as a POLICEMAN or POLICEWOMAN
when more help is needed
,special de'livery n a letter or parcel for which additional
money is paid so that it will arrive later or earlier in the day
than the usual time —special delivery adv: I sent it special
delivery.
,special ef'fect n an image or sound in a film or television
programme that was made by a person or a machine: The
special effects in Star Wars broke new ground in the film
industry.
,special 'forces n [P] soldiers who have special training in
fighting against GUERRILLA or TERRORIST attackers
,special 'interest group n [C +sing./pl. v] a group of people
that share an INTEREST, especially an organization that
attempts to influence government action; a PRESSURE
GROUP
spe-ci-al-ism /'speʃəlɪzəm/ n 1 [C] an activity in which
someone specializes; SPECIALITY 2 [U] limiting one's activi-
ties to particular things or subjects
spe-cial-ist /'speʃəlɪst/ n [(in)] 1 a person who has special
interests or skills in a limited field of work or study: a
specialist in African history 2 a doctor who gives treatment
in a particular way or to certain kinds of people or diseases:
Her local doctor couldn't tell what was wrong, so he sent her to
see a specialist. | a heart specialist
spe-ci-al-i-ty /ˌspeʃi'æləti/ || usually spe-cial-ty /'speʃəlti/
AmE — n 1 a special field of work or study: Her specialty is
ancient Greek poetry. 2 [(of)] a particularly fine or excellent
product: I can recommend the vegetable pie – it's the special-
ity of the house. (=restaurant)
spe-cial-ize also -ise BrE /'speʃəlaɪz/ v [(in)] to limit all or
most of one's study, business etc, to a particular activity or
subject: After she qualified as a lawyer, she decided to special-
ize in contract law. | a company that specializes in (producing)
home computers —-ization /ˌspeʃəlaɪ'zeɪʃən||-lə-/ n [C;U]
There is too much specialization of subjects too early in our
schools.
spe-cial-ized also -ised BrE /'speʃəlaɪzd/ adj suitable or
developed for one particular use: Don't try doing it yourself;
it requires specialized knowledge/highly specialized equip-
ment.
,special 'licence n law an official permission given by the
Church of England for a marriage at a time or place not
usually allowed
spe-cial-ly /'speʃəli/ adv ESPECIALLY
,special 'needs n [P] needs that a person has because they
have particular mental or physical problems: a school for
children with special needs
,Special O'lympics, the [P] an international programme
of sports events and sports training for adults and children
who have mental or physical problems → see also OLYMPIC
GAMES
,special 'pleading n [U] argument that unfairly fails to
mention things that are unfavourable to a case
,special re'lationship n [S] the special close relationship
between Britain and the US
'special school n tech a school for children who have a
disability of mind or body, where they are given special help
spe-cies /'spiːʃiːz/ n pl. -cies 1 tech a division of animals or
plants below a GENUS which are alike in all important ways,
and which can breed together to produce young of the same
kind: This rare bird has become an endangered species. (=is
in danger of becoming EXTINCT) 2 [(of)] infml a type; sort: a
strange species of car
spe-cif-ic¹ /spə'sɪfɪk/ adj 1 detailed and exact; clear in
meaning or explanation: You say your factory is in England;
can you be a bit more specific? | She gave us very specific
instructions. 2 [A] particular; fixed, determined, or named: