I. ikˈsklüs]iv, (ˈ)ek|s-, -üz], ]ēv also ]əv adjective
Etymology: Middle French exclusif, from Medieval Latin exclusivus, from Latin exclusus + -ivus -ive
1.
a. : excluding or having power to exclude (as by preventing entrance or debarring from possession, participation, or use)
exclusive regulations
b. : limiting or limited to possession, control, or use (as by a single individual or organization or by a special group or class)
exclusive privileges of the citizens of a country
the Puritan's God was a somewhat exclusive possession — Agnes Repplier
2. : excluding or inclined to exclude others (as outsiders) from participation (as in an association or privilege) or from cordial relations
an exclusive nation
sometimes : snobbishly aloof
an exclusive clique
an exclusive attitude
exclusive standards
3.
a. : admitting of or soliciting only a socially restricted patronage (as of the upper classes)
exclusive hotels or haberdashers
b. : stylish , fashionable
exclusive styles
c. : expensive ; often : restricted in distribution, use, or appeal because of expense
exclusive suburban neighborhoods
4.
a. : single , sole
an exclusive agent
exclusive jurisdiction
b. : undivided , whole
giving the question his exclusive attention
c. of a news item : being an exclusive
5. in grammar : referring to the speaker and another or some others but excluding the hearer
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a person who fastidiously limits his acquaintance to a few
b. : an organism restricted in distribution to a single ecological community
2. : something exclusive: as
a. : a newspaper story at first released to or printed by only one newspaper
b. : an exclusive right (as to sell a particular product in a certain area)