noun
1. : damage for which a defendant is responsible but which must be pleaded and proved by plaintiff to be recoverable
2. : damage not ordinarily expected to be caused by defendant's wrong or breach of duty but in fact caused thereby under circumstances making defendant responsible
3. : damage peculiar to a plaintiff because of his particular condition or the particular circumstances in which he finds himself, but not ordinarily implied from defendant's wrong or breach of duty
4. : damage capable of being exactly measured in money or its equivalent as distinguished from damage which must be estimated and concerning which reasonable men might differ
5. : consequential damage
6. special damages plural : compensatory damages awarded for a particular harm or pecuniary loss for which special proof must be made