stereospecific

adjective

ste·​reo·​spe·​cif·​ic ˌster-ē-ō-spi-ˈsi-fik 

ˌstir-

: being, produced by, or involved in a stereochemically specific process

many enzymes act as stereospecific catalysts

stereospecific plastics

stereospecifically

ˌster-ē-ō-spi-ˈsi-fi-k(ə-)lē 

ˌstir-

adverb

stereospecificity

ˌster-ē-ō-ˌspe-sə-ˈfi-sə-tē 

ˌstir-

noun

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

stereospecific

adjective

ste·​reo·​spe·​cif·​ic -spə-ˈsif-ik 

: relating to, being, or effecting a reaction or process in which different stereoisomeric starting materials produce different stereoisomeric products

stereospecific polymerization

stereospecific catalysts

stereospecifically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb