adj. & n.
adj. 1 relating to or considered as one thing or person as distinct from others; individual (in this particular instance). 2 more than is usual; special, noteworthy (took particular trouble). 3 scrupulously exact; fastidious. 4 detailed (a full and particular account). 5 Logic (of a proposition) in which something is asserted of some but not all of a class (opp. UNIVERSAL).
n. 1 a detail; an item. 2 (in pl.) points of information; a detailed account. in particular especially, specifically.
[ ME f. OF particuler f. L particularis (as PARTICLE) ]