Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Specification \Spec`i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. sp['e]cification,
   LL. specificatio.]
   1. The act of specifying or determining by a mark or limit;
      notation of limits.

            This specification or limitation of the question
            hinders the disputers from wandering away from the
            precise point of inquiry.             --I. Watts.

   2. The designation of particulars; particular mention; as,
      the specification of a charge against an officer.

   3. A written statement containing a minute description or
      enumeration of particulars, as of charges against a public
      officer, the terms of a contract, the description of an
      invention, as in a patent; also, a single article, item,
      or particular, an allegation of a specific act, as in a
      charge of official misconduct.

Source : WordNet®

specification
     n 1: a detailed description of design criteria for a piece of
          work [syn: {spec}]
     2: naming explicitly
     3: (patent law) a document drawn up by the applicant for a
        patent of invention that provides an explicit and detailed
        description of the nature and usse of an invention
     4: a restriction that is insisted upon as a condition for an
        agreement [syn: {stipulation}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

specification
     
         (spec) A document describing how some system should
        work.
     
        (2001-02-06)