̷ ̷ˌkyülˈyarəd.ē, -lēˈa-, -rətē, -i also -yer- or -ēˈer- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Late Latin peculiaritat-, peculiaritas, from Latin peculiaris peculiar + -itat-, -itas -ity
1. : the quality or state of being peculiar : distinctiveness
that sweet peculiarity of manner … so much a part of herself — Jane Austen
2. : partiality in interest or affection
his regard for her seemed to have lost all its peculiarity — Fanny Burney
3. : something peculiar in a person or thing : a distinguishing characteristic : a distinctive feature
the intrusion of his personal peculiarities — Matthew Arnold
all her shoes had this peculiarity — Ruth Park
4. : oddity , quirk
for all their tribal peculiarities … a happy people — Patrick Smith