spe´cial|ness

spe|cial «SPEHSH uhl», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. of a particular kind; distinct from others; not general; certain: »

money set aside for a special purpose, a special edition of a book. A play may be violent, full of motion; yet it has that special kind of repose which allows contemplation (Tennessee Williams).

2. more than ordinary; unusual; exceptional: »

special care, a matter of special importance.

3. having a particular purpose, function, or use: »

a special application of a theory. Send the letter by special messenger.

4. belonging exclusively as to a person or thing: »

a scholar's special field of knowledge, the special merits of a plan. Every country has its special attractions.

5. held in high regard; great; chief: »

a special friend, a special favorite.

6. specific: »

special instructions.

–n.

1. a special train, car, bus, or the like.

2. any special person or thing.

3. a) a special edition of a newspaper. b) a special article in or communication to a newspaper: »

a Washington special.

4. U.S. a specially featured product or service; sale: »

This week's special is ham and eggs.

5. a television show, produced especially for a single broadcast, usually out of the pattern of regular daily or weekly programs: »

In news and public affairs, specials were planned covering such subjects as air pollution, organized crime, air safety, drugs (S. Taishoff and R. W. Crater).

╂[< Latin speciālis < speciēs, -ēī appearance; see etym. under species (Cf. ↑species). See etym. of doublet especial. (Cf. ↑especial)]

–spe´cial|ness, noun.

Synonym Study adjective. 1 Special, particular mean belonging or relating to one person, thing, or group, as distinguished from others. Special implies being different from others of its kind: »

Babies need special food.

Particular implies being unique: »

the particular meaning of a word.