Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Surpassing what is common or usual; exceptional.
- adjective Distinct among others of a kind.
- adjective Primary.
- adjective Peculiar to a specific person or thing; particular.
- adjective Having a limited or specific function, application, or scope.
- adjective Arranged for a particular occasion or purpose.
- adjective Regarded with particular affection and admiration.
- adjective Additional; extra.
- noun Something arranged, issued, or appropriated to a particular service or occasion.
- noun A featured attraction, such as a reduced price.
- noun A single television production that features a specific work, a given topic, or a particular performer.
from The Century Dictionary.
- Of or pertaining to a species or sort; of a particular kind or character; distinct from other kinds; specifically characteristic.
- Of or pertaining to one or more of a kind; peculiar to an individual or a set; not general; particular; individual.
- Peculiar or distinct of the kind; of exceptional character, amount, degree, or the like; especially distinguished; express; particular.
- Specifically, limited as to function, operation, or purpose; designed for specific application or service; acting for a limited time or in a restricted manner; not general of the kind named: as, special legislation; special pleading; a special agent, constable, or correspondent; special employment; a special dictionary.
- Synonyms Special, Especial, Particular, Peculiar, Specific. Special is more common than especial, which has the same meaning; but especially is for rhythmical reasons (because it occurs most frequently at the beginning of a dependent clause, where usually an unaccented particle occurs, and where, therefore, a word with an accent on the first syllable is instinctively avoided) much more common than specially. The special comes under the general, as the particular comes under the special. A special favor is one that is more than ordinary; a particular favor is still more remarkable; a peculiar favor comes very closely home. When we speak of any particular thing, we distiuguish it from all others; when we speak of a specific fault in one's character, we name it with exactness; a special law is one that is made for a particular purpose or a peculiar case; a specific law is either one that we name exactly or one that names offenses, etc., exactly.
- noun A special or particular person or thing.
- noun (b ) A private companion; a paramour or concubine.
- noun A person or thing appointed or set apart for a special purpose or occasion, as a constable, a railway-train, an examination, a dispatch, etc.: as, they traveled by special to Chicago; the specials were called out to quell the riot.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun obsolete A particular.
- noun One appointed for a special service or occasion.
- noun specially; in particular.
- adjective Of or pertaining to a species; constituting a species or sort.
- adjective Particular; peculiar; different from others; extraordinary; uncommon.
- adjective Appropriate; designed for a particular purpose, occasion, or person.
- adjective Limited in range; confined to a definite field of action, investigation, or discussion.
- adjective obsolete Chief in excellence.
- adjective (Law) an administration limited to certain specified effects or acts, or one granted during a particular time or the existence of a special cause, as during a controversy respecting the probate of a will, or the right of administration, etc.
- adjective an agency confined to some particular matter.
- adjective (Law) sureties who undertake that, if the defendant is convicted, he shall satisfy the plaintiff, or surrender himself into custody.
- adjective See under
Constable . - adjective (Law) a damage resulting from the act complained of, as a natural, but not the necessary, consequence of it.
- adjective (Law) a demurrer for some defect of form in the opposite party pleading, in which the cause of demurrer is particularly stated.
- adjective a deposit made of a specific thing to be kept distinct from others.
- adjective (Biol.) See under
Homology . - adjective (Law) an injuction granted on special grounds, arising of the circumstances of the case.
- adjective (Law) an issue produced upon a special plea.
- adjective (Law) a jury consisting of persons of some particular calling, station, or qualification, which is called upon motion of either party when the cause is supposed to require it; a struck jury.
- adjective (Mil.) orders which do not concern, and are not published to, the whole command, such as those relating to the movement of a particular corps, a detail, a temporary camp, etc.
- adjective a limited partner; a partner with a limited or restricted responsibility; -- unknown at common law.
- adjective a limited or particular partnership; -- a term sometimes applied to a partnership in a particular business, operation, or adventure.
- adjective (Law) a plea setting forth particular and new matter, distinguished from the general issue.
- adjective (Law) originally, a counsel who devoted himself to drawing special counts and pleas; in a wider sense, a lawyer who draws pleadings.
- adjective (Law) The phrase is sometimes popularly applied to the specious, but unsound, argumentation of one whose aim is victory, and not truth.
- adjective (Law) a qualified or limited ownership possession, as in wild animals, things found or bailed.
- adjective an extraordinary session; a session at an unusual time or for an unusual purpose.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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By the term special a special mechanical version, special light source or special optical equipment of a lighting fitting is understood.
8. Lighting Fittings Frank Ponemunski 1991
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In suggesting or moving that the committee be a special one, the word special is not generally used, the motion being made to refer the question to a committee of five, or any other number, which makes it a special committee; that is, not a standing committee.
5. Subsidiary Motions. 32. To Commit or Refer Henry Martyn 1915
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The term special markets is used interchangeably with Negro market to describe the Pepsi-Cola campaign, even though the sales team was in the process of redefining its meaning.
THE REAL PEPSI CHALLENGE Stephanie Capparell 2007
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Now anytime you hear the term "special purpose vehicle," or "special investment vehicle," or anything that is "special" in the finance world, plug your ears and run the other way.
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John Major might think the term "special relationship" outdated, but the UK Border officials could certainly learn a few things from their American counterparts.
Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph Iain Hollingshead 2011
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Of course the "special" effects (and I use the term special loosely) were lacking, with such a small budget.
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Of course the "special" effects (and I use the term special loosely) were lacking, with such a small budget.
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The phrase "special relationship" has become a cliche.
What is the special relationship behind the barbecue bonhomie? | Andrew Rawnsley 2011
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This and I will continue to use the term special rights agenda should not be taken out of the broader social and historical context.
Archive 2009-09-27 2009
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This and I will continue to use the term special rights agenda should not be taken out of the broader social and historical context.
The Socialist Conspiracy of Debbie, Emmanuel, and "Deep Throat" Austin Cline 2009
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And ketamine, often called Special K in its illicit form, has become a popular party drug.
Bulky Cameras, Meet The Lens-less FlatCam Jon Hamilton 2019
micmark66 commented on the word special
Don't forget about The Church Lady's (Saturday Night Live) rendition of this word, "Isn't that special?"
March 26, 2009
marky commented on the word special
'I'm Thpecial!'
December 2, 2009
bilby commented on the word special
CD&C oscillating between Yeats and Miss Manners.
January 4, 2013
ruzuzu commented on the word special
I like how the CD&C specifically mentions "a special dictionary."
January 4, 2013
hernesheir commented on the word special
--from the examples: British, colloquial A special constable. --Like those portrayed by Monty Python.
January 4, 2013