particularise

Particularise is a verb meaning to specify in detail or to single out and distinguish a particular case from a general statement. It can also mean to make something more precise by adding details or to enumerate specific elements.

Origin and spelling: The word derives from the adjective particular, which itself comes from Latin particula, meaning “a small part.” In English, the verb form was formed with the -ise/-ize ending, leading to British English spelling as particularise and American English spelling as particularize.

Usage: Particularising is common in formal, technical, and legal writing, where broad statements are expanded with precise information. It may involve listing conditions, probabilities, or criteria, or giving concrete examples to clarify a point. In rhetoric or philosophy, to particularise can mean to move from general principles to specific instances, or to distinguish a concrete case from an abstract one.

Examples: The report particularises the risks by detailing their likelihood and potential impact. The contract avoids ambiguity by particularising the terms of payment, delivery, and liability. Some writers use the term to emphasize specificity rather than general description.

See also: Specify, detail, delineate, enumerate, illustrate.

Note on spelling: British English typically uses -ise, as in particularise; American English uses -ize, as in particularize. Style guides may vary on preferred form depending on audience and regional practice.