spell out vs specify

spell out and specify both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
spell out	No	No	Yes	No
specify	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, specify is a hypernym of spell out; that is, specify is a word with a broader meaning than spell out:

Other hypernyms of spell out include particularise, particularize, specialise, specialize.

spell out (verb)	specify (verb)
make explicit; specify in detail	design or destine
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of	define clearly
spell fully and without abbreviating	select something or someone for a specific purpose
	be specific about
	decide upon or fix definitely
	specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
	determine the essential quality of