Spec Is Short for Two Different Words
Spec means a specification, or speculation as in on spec. The two abbreviations collide.
Spec is short for *specification*, a detailed technical description, and also for *speculation*, as in *building on spec* — without a contract, in the hope of selling. Both come ultimately from Latin *specere*, to look at, but by different routes: a specification is a detailed looking-at, while speculation is looking ahead into an uncertain future. Doing work on spec and writing a spec are therefore related only at the root. That verb gives *inspect*, *spectacle*, *suspect*, *respect* and *species*.
- A specification. *Read the spec.*
- Speculation. *Built on spec.*
- To specify. *Specifying materials.*
- Specs — spectacles. *His specs.*
- Latin — *specere*, to look. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | spec | A spec. |
| Plural | specs | Specs. |
| Full form | specification | A specification. |
| Full form | speculation | Speculation. |
| Latin | specere | To look. |
- It meets the spec.Technical.
- Houses built on spec.Business.
- He lost his specs.Glasses.
The specere family
- Inspect — to look into
- Respect — to look back at
- Suspect — to look at from below
- Spectacle — a thing looked at
- Species — an appearance or kind
Shortened from *specification* and *speculation*, both from Latin *specere*, to look at.
What does building on spec mean?
Building without a buyer under contract, speculating that the finished result will sell.
Are the two specs related?
Only at the root. Both descend from Latin specere, to look, by separate routes.