Adjacent Words

Especial definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

ESPE'CIAL, a. [L. specialis, from specio, to see, species, kind.]
Principal; chief; particular; as, in an especial manner or degree.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: surpassing what is common or usual or expected; "he paid especial attention to her"; "exceptional kindness"; "a matter of particular and unusual importance"; "a special occasion"; "a special reason to confide in her"; "what's so special about the year 2000?" [syn: especial, exceptional, particular, special]

Merriam Webster's

adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French — more at special Date: 14th century being distinctive: as a. directed toward a particular individual, group, or end <sent especial greetings to his son> <took especial care to speak clearly> b. of special note or importance ; unusually great or significant <a decision of especial relevance> c. highly distinctive or personal ; peculiar <had an especial dislike for music> d. close, intimate <his especial crony> e. specific, particular <had no especial destination in mind> Synonyms: see special

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. 1 notable, exceptional. 2 attributed or belonging chiefly to one person or thing (your especial charm). Etymology: ME f. OF f. L specialis special

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Especial Es*pe"cial, a. [OF. especial, F. sp['e]cial, L. specialis, fr. species a particular sort, kind, or quality. See Species, and cf. Special.] Distinguished among others of the same class or kind; special; concerning a species or a single object; principal; particular; as, in an especial manner or degree. Syn: Peculiar; special; particular; uncommon; chief. See Peculiar.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Especial means unusual or special in some way. (FORMAL) The authorities took especial interest in him because of his trade union work. = special ADJ: ADJ n

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

a. Particular, special, distinguished, peculiar, unusual, marked.

Moby Thesaurus

absolute, certain, concrete, defined, definite, detailed, determinate, different, distinct, distinguished, dominant, esoteric, exceptional, express, extraordinary, fixed, individual, inner, intimate, minute, notable, noteworthy, paramount, particular, personal, precise, predominant, preeminent, preponderant, private, respective, set, several, singular, solipsistic, special, specific, supreme, surpassing, unusual