adj.
Pronunciation: is- ' pe-sh ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ― more at SPECIAL
Date: 14th century
: being distinctive: as a : directed toward a particular individual, group, or end <sent especial greetings to his son> <took especial care to speak clearly> b : of special note or importance : unusually great or significant <a decision of especial relevance> c : highly distinctive or personal : PECULIAR <had an especial dislike for music> d : CLOSE , INTIMATE <his especial crony> e : SPECIFIC , PARTICULAR <had no especial destination in mind>
synonyms see SPECIAL
– in especial : in particular