Oxford Business English Dictionary for Learners of English

spare part noun [c, usually pi.] a new part that is bought and kept to replace an old or broken part of a machine, vehicle, etc: The airline industry is a big market for our new engines, spare parts and maintenance, о spare parts makers

spawn /spa:n/ verb [+ obj] to cause sth to develop or be produced, especially quickly or in large numbers: Silicon Valley is still spawning new companies.

spc /,es pi: 'si:/ = statistical process control

-speak /spi:k/ combiningform (in nouns) the language used by a particular group of people, especially when this is difficult for other people to understand: business-speak о management-speak

speakerphone /'spi:kafaun; AmE -arfoun/noun [c] a telephone that you can use without holding it to your ear: a desktop speakerphone

spearhead /'spiahed; AmE 'spirhed/ verb [+ obj] to begin or lead an activity or a change: She was appointed tu spearhead a campaign to boost sales.

spec /spek/ noun, verb (Manufacturing, informal)

noun [c] (especially BrE) (AmE usually specs [pi.])

a detailed description of a product, especially the design and materials needed to produce it: detailed design specs for a new product о engineering specs

the particular set of features that a machine or a vehicle has: Have you decided on the specs you want for your PC? о spec sheets

lsynj specification

• verb [+ obj] (-cc-) (especially BrE)

to design and make sth to a particular standard: The camera is well specced at the price.

special /'spejl/ adjective, noun

adjective [usually before noun]

not ordinary or usual: special discounts on multimedia equipment о They are running a special promotion at the moment.

appointed or created for a particular purpose: The board has appointed a special committee to consider the bids.

noun [c,U] (especially AmE) (informal)

a price for a particular product in a shop/store or restaurant that is lower than usual: There's a special on garden products this week, о Brazilian coffee is on special.

(Manufacturing) [c, usually pi., U] detailed information about how sth is or should be designed or made: the technical specifications of the new model (= of car) о These houses are built to a high specification, о The part will perform exactly to specification (= exactly as it is supposed to).

О design/product/technical specifications ♦ to agree/ change/set specifications ♦ to comply with/conform to/meet specifications

(Manufacturing) [c] the particular set of features that a machine or a vehicle has: The regulations for cabs cover age, roadworthiness and vehicle specifications.

[C,u] an act of giving detailed information about what sb wants or expects from sth: There was no clear specification of objectives.

[syn] spec

spe.cific 'risk = unsystematic risk

★ specify /'spesifai/ verb [+ obj] (specifies, specifying, specified, specified)

to state or explain sth, giving an exact measurement, time, exact instructions, etc: The customer specifies a date and time for delivery, о They were given options to buy shares at a specified price, о The law specifies that the account cannot be held on behalf of another person.

.specimen 'signaturenoun [c] an example of the way you write your name (your signature) that you give to a bank, etc. so that they can compare it with the way your name is signed on cheques and other documents

specs /speks/ = spec noun

speculate /'spekjuleit/ verb [no obj] (Finance) to buy shares, property, goods, etc. hoping