[ex.cep.tion.al] adj (ca. 1846) 1: forming an exception: rare "an ~ number of rainy days"
2: better than average: superior "~ skill"
3: deviating from the norm: as a: having above or below average intelligence b: physically handicapped -- ex.cep.tion.al.i.ty n -- ex.cep.tion.al.ness n