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Abnormal vs Special - What's the difference?

abnormal | special |

As adjectives the difference between abnormal and special

is that abnormal is not conforming to rule or system; deviating from the usual or normal type while special is distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.

As nouns the difference between abnormal and special

is that abnormal is a person or object that is not normal while special is a reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.

abnormal

English

Alternative forms

* anormal * (obsolete) abnormous

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Not conforming to rule or system; deviating from the usual or normal type.
  • * 1899 , (Arthur Conan Doyle), A Duet , ch. 6:
    • And then after an abnormal meal, which was either a very late breakfast or a very early lunch, they drove on to Victoria Station.
  • Of or pertaining to that which is abnormal, in particular, behaviour that deviates from norms of social propriety or accepted standards of mental health.
  • * 1904 , (Jack London), The Sea Wolf , ch. 23:
    • Furuseth was right; I was abnormal , an "emotionless monster," a strange bookish creature, capable of pleasuring in sensations only of the mind.

    Synonyms

    * aberrant, anomalous, atypical, exceptional, extraordinary, irregular, odd, strange, unusual.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A person or object that is not normal.

    • References

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    special

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.
    • a special episode of a television series
  • Of particular interest or value; certain; dear; beloved; favored.
    • Everyone is special to someone.
  • (euphemistic, derogatory) Retarded; mentally handicapped
    • He goes to a special school.
  • Constituting or relating to a species.
    • The seven dark spots is a special property unique to ''Coccinella septempunctata''.
  • Chief in excellence.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The king hath drawn / The special head of all the land together.

    Derived terms

    * special attack * special constable * special defense * special delivery * special education / special ed * special forces * specialisation / specialization * specialise / specialize * specialist * speciality, specialty * specially * specialness * Special Olympics * special ops

    Related terms

    * especial * especially

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.
    • We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.
  • (broadcasting) Unusual or exceptional episode of a series
  • (British, colloquial) A special constable.
  • Anything that is not according to normal practice, plan, or schedule, as an unscheduled run of transportation that is normally scheduled.
    • Thousands came to see the special that carried the President's coffin.
  • (video games) special move
  • * 1995 , "Tony Pordon", Tekken Review [PSX]'' (on newsgroup ''rec.games.video.misc )
    • Using the right moves, you can sometimes chain 2 specials in a row to form multiple hit combos.

    Statistics

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    Anagrams

    * English aphaeretic forms 1000 English basic words ----