subspecialize

verb

sub·​spe·​cial·​ize ˌsəb-ˈspe-shə-ˌlīz 

variants or less commonly sub-specialize

subspecialized or sub-specialized; subspecializing also sub-specializing

intransitive verb

: to concentrate one's efforts in a special occupation, practice, or field of study that is part of a broader specialty : to practice or study within a subspecialty

Like most surgical specialists, neurosurgeons subspecialize in different areas, such as tumors, cerebrovascular, seizure, pituitary gland and pain surgery.

—John Pekkanen

subspecialization

ˌsəb-ˌspe-sh(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

or less commonly sub-specialization

plural subspecializations also sub-specializations

… subspecializations such as creative writing, linguistics, the teaching of English, and English as a second language …

—Gerald Graff

surgical subspecialization

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above