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special

 - 5 dictionary results

spe⋅cial

  [spesh-uhl]
–adjective
1. of a distinct or particular kind or character: a special kind of key.
2. being a particular one; particular, individual, or certain: You'd better call the special number.
3. pertaining or peculiar to a particular person, thing, instance, etc.; distinctive; unique: the special features of a plan.
4. having a specific or particular function, purpose, etc.: a special messenger.
5. distinguished or different from what is ordinary or usual: a special occasion; to fix something special.
6. extraordinary; exceptional, as in amount or degree; especial: special importance.
7. being such in an exceptional degree; particularly valued: a special friend.
–noun
8. a special person or thing.
9. a train used for a particular purpose, occasion, or the like.
10. a special edition of a newspaper.
11. Theater. a spotlight reserved for a particular area, property, actor, etc.: Give me the coffin special.
12. a temporary, arbitrary reduction in the price of regularly stocked goods, esp. food; a particularly worthwhile offer or price: The special this week is on sirloin steaks.
13. Television. a single program not forming part of a regular series.
Use special in a Sentence
Origin:
1175–1225; ME (adj.) < L speciālis of a given species, equiv. to speci(ēs) species + -ālis -al 1 ; see especial

Related forms:
spe⋅cial⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
5. singular. Special, particular, specific refer to something pointed out for attention and consideration. Special means given unusual treatment because of being uncommon: a special sense of a word. Particular implies something selected from the others of its kind and set off from them for attention: a particular variety of orchid. Specific implies plain and unambiguous indication of a particular instance, example, etc.: a specific instance of cowardice.

Antonyms:
1. general.

Usage note:
In American English the adjective special is overwhelmingly more common than especial in all senses: He will be of special help if you can't understand the documentation. The reverse is true of the adverbs; here especially is by far the more common: He will be of great help, especially if you have trouble understanding the documentation. Only when the sense “specifically” is intended is specially more idiomatic: The machine was specially designed for use by a left-handed operator.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To special
spe·cial   (spěsh'əl)   
adj.  

  1. Surpassing what is common or usual; exceptional: a special occasion; a special treat.

    1. Distinct among others of a kind: a special type of paint; a special medication for arthritis.

    2. Primary: His special satisfaction comes from volunteer work.

    3. Having a limited or specific function, application, or scope: a special role in the mission.

    4. Arranged for a particular occasion or purpose: a special visit from her daughter.

  3. Peculiar to a specific person or thing; particular: my own special chair; the special features of a computer.

    1. Having a limited or specific function, application, or scope: a special role in the mission.

    2. Arranged for a particular occasion or purpose: a special visit from her daughter.

  5. Regarded with particular affection and admiration: a special friend.

  6. Additional; extra: a special holiday flight.

n.  

  1. Something arranged, issued, or appropriated to a particular service or occasion: rode to work on the commuter special.

  2. A featured attraction, such as a reduced price: a special on salmon.

  3. A single television production that features a specific work, a given topic, or a particular performer.


[Middle English, from Old French especial, from Latin speciālis, from speciēs, kind; see species.]
spe'cial·ly adv., spe'cial·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

special 
c.1225, "better than ordinary," from O.Fr. especial, from L. specialis "individual, particular," from species "appearance, kind, sort" (see species). Meaning "marked off from others by some distinguishing quality" is recorded from 1303. In M.E., also as a noun, meaning "sweetheart, lover." Meaning "special train" is attested from 1866. Special effects first attested 1951. Special interests in U.S. political sense is from 1910. Special pleading first recorded 1684.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: spe·cial
Function: adjective
1 : distinguished by some unusual quality <special circumstances justifying an award of attorney's fees>
2 : relating to a single thing or class of things : having an individual character or trait special duty not owed to the public at large>
3 a : supplemental to the regular b : assigned or provided to meet a need not covered under established procedures
4 : designed or selected for a particular purpose, occasion, or other end special jurisdiction —Cleveland v. Cleveland, 559 Pacific Reporter, Second Series 744 (1977)>
5 : containing particulars and details special pleading> —spe·cial·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Computing Dictionary

SPECIAL language, specification
A specification language developed at SRI around 1976.
["SPECIAL - A Specification and Assertion Language", L. Robinson et al, TR CSL-46, SRI, Jan 1977].
[Also known as "HDM"? What's HDM?]
(2004-12-03)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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