overspecify
overspecify · overspecifies · overspecified · overspecifying
To specify in excessive detailTo specify in excessive detail.
US/ˌoʊvɚˈspɛsɪˌfaɪ/
Meaning
3 sensesTo specify in excessive detail.
The customer overspecified the requirements and now we're contractually required to build it this way. Does he think he's an engineer?
To specify excessive capability.
As usual the customer overspecified the requirements, it's like asking for a car that seats 20 and fits in a compact car's parking space.
To provide redundant or inconsistent information.
An overspecified truth table contains at least one decision that will never be executed because it is already specified in a previous decision...
A noun phrase is overspecified when it is used in a context where a pronoun would have been unambiguous.
Forms
overspecifies, overspecifying, overspecified, overspecified| Base form | overspecify · to overspecify |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | overspecifies |
| Present participle | overspecifying |
| Past simple | overspecified |
| Past participle | overspecified |
regular · Lesson
Antonyms
1 antonymsspecify in excessive detail:underspecify
Word family
1 related wordsRelatedoverspecification
Lessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle