n.
Pronunciation: ' spe-sh ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French especial, from Latin specialis individual, particular, from species species
Date: 13th century
1 : distinguished by some unusual quality especially : being in some way superior <our special blend>
2 : held in particular esteem <a special friend>
3 a : readily distinguishable from others of the same category : UNIQUE <they set it apart as a special day of thanksgiving> b : of, relating to, or constituting a species : SPECIFIC
4 : being other than the usual : ADDITIONAL , EXTRA
5 : designed for a particular purpose or occasion
– spe · cial · ness noun
synonyms SPECIAL , ESPECIAL , SPECIFIC , PARTICULAR , INDIVIDUAL mean of or relating to one thing or class. SPECIAL stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own < special ingredients>. ESPECIAL may add implications of preeminence or preference <a matter of especial importance>. SPECIFIC implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species <children with specific nutritional needs>. PARTICULAR stresses the distinctness of something as an individual <a ballet step of particular difficulty>. INDIVIDUAL implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group <valued each individual opinion>.