— exclusively , adv. — exclusiveness, exclusivity , /eks'klooh siv"i tee/ , n.
/ik sklooh"siv, -ziv/ , adj.
1. not admitting of something else; incompatible: mutually exclusive plans of action.
2. omitting from consideration or account (often fol. by of ): a profit of ten percent, exclusive of taxes.
3. limited to the object or objects designated: exclusive attention to business.
4. shutting out all others from a part or share: an exclusive right to film the novel.
5. fashionable; stylish: to patronize only the most exclusive designers.
6. charging comparatively high prices; expensive: exclusive shops.
7. noting that in which no others have a share: exclusive information.
8. single or sole: the exclusive means of communication between two places.
9. disposed to resist the admission of outsiders to association, intimacy, etc.: an exclusive circle of intimate friends.
10. admitting only members of a socially restricted or very carefully selected group: an exclusive club.
11. excluding or tending to exclude, as from use or possession: exclusive laws.
12. Gram. (of the first person plural) excluding the person or persons spoken to, as we in We'll see you later. Cf. inclusive (def. 4).
n.
13. Journalism. a piece of news, or the reporting of a piece of news, obtained by a newspaper or other news organization, along with the privilege of using it first.
14. an exclusive right or privilege: to have an exclusive on providing fuel oil to the area.
[ 1400-50; 1900-05 for def. 13; late ME (adj.) exclusivus. See EXCLUSION, -IVE ]
Syn. 9. select, narrow, clannish, snobbish, restrictive, cliquish, illiberal.
Ant. 2. inclusive.