adj. & n.
adj. 1 a particularly good; exceptional; out of the ordinary (bought them a special present; took special trouble). b peculiar; specific; not general (lacks the special qualities required; the word has a special sense). 2 for a particular purpose (sent on a special assignment). 3 in which a person specializes (statistics is his special field). 4 denoting education for children with particular needs, e.g. the handicapped.
n. a special person or thing, e.g. a special constable, train, examination, edition of a newspaper, dish on a menu, etc. special area Brit. a district for which special economic provision is made in legislation. Special Branch (in the UK) a police department dealing with political security. special case 1 a written statement of fact presented by litigants to a court. 2 an exceptional or unusual case. special constable Brit. a policeman sworn in to assist in times of emergency etc. special correspondent a journalist writing for a newspaper on special events or a special area of interest. special delivery a delivery of mail in advance of the regular delivery. special drawing rights the right to purchase extra foreign currency from the International Monetary Fund. special edition an extra edition of a newspaper including later news than the ordinary edition. special effects scenic illusions created by props and camera-work. special intention see INTENTION. special jury a jury with members of a particular social standing (cf. common jury). special licence Brit. a marriage licence allowing immediate marriage without banns, or at an unusual time or place. special pleading 1 Law pleading with reference to new facts in a case. 2 a specious or unfair argument favouring the speaker's point of view. special verdict Law a verdict stating the facts as proved but leaving the court to draw conclusions from them. specially adv. specialness n.
[ ME f. OF especial ESPECIAL or L specialis (as SPECIES) ]