especial
[ ih-spesh-uh l ]
/ ɪˈspɛʃ əl /
adjective
special; exceptional; outstanding: of no especial importance; an especial friend.
of a particular kind, or peculiar to a particular one; particular: your especial case.
Origin of especial
1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin
speciālis pertaining to a particular kind. See
special
usage note for especial
See
special.
OTHER WORDS FROM especial
es·pe·cial·ness, nounWords nearby especial
Example sentences from the Web for especial
British Dictionary definitions for especial
especial
/ (ɪˈspɛʃəl) /
adjective (prenominal)
unusual; notable; exceptional
he paid especial attention to her that evening
applying to one person or thing in particular; not general; specific; peculiar
he had an especial dislike of relatives
Word Origin for especial
C14: from Old French, from Latin
speciālis individual; see
special
usage for especial
Especial and
especially have a more limited use than
special and
specially. Special is always used in preference to
especial when the sense is one of being out of the ordinary:
a special lesson; he has been specially trained. Special is also used when something is referred to as being for a particular purpose:
the word was specially underlined for you. Where an idea of pre-eminence or individuality is involved, either
especial or
special may be used:
he is my especial (or
special)
friend; he is especially (or
specially)
good at his job. In informal English, however,
special is usually preferred in all contexts