Specify, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Specified; p. pr. & vb. n. Specifying.]
Etymology: [F. spécifier, or OF. especifier, fr. LL. specificare. See Species, -fy.]
To mention or name, as a particular thing; to designate in words so as to distinguish from other things; as, to specify the uses of a plant; to specify articles purchased. He has there given us an exact geography of Greece, where the countries and the uses of their soils are specified. Pope.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for specify; he lists it under state.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.