/ ɪˈspeʃl; NAmE / adjective
[ only before noun ] ( BrE , formal ) greater or better than usual; special in some way or for a particular group :
a matter of especial importance
The lecture will be of especial interest to history students.
—compare special adjective (5)
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via Old French from Latin specialis special, from species , literally appearance, form, beauty , from specere to look.