/i spesh"euh lee/ , adv.
particularly; exceptionally; markedly: Be especially watchful.
[ 1350-1400; ME; see ESPECIAL, -LY ]
Syn . signally, notably; mainly. ESPECIALLY, CHIEFLY, PARTICULARLY, PRINCIPALLY refer to those cases that seem to be significant. ESPECIALLY and PARTICULARLY single out the most prominent case or example (often in order to particularize a general statement): Winter is especially severe on old people. Corn grows well in the Middle West, particularly in Iowa. CHIEFLY and PRINCIPALLY imply that the general statement applies to a majority of the cases in question, and have a somewhat comparative force: Owls fly chiefly at night. Crime occurs principally in large cities.
Usage . See special .