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Peculiar vs Special - What's the difference?

peculiar | special |

As adjectives the difference between peculiar and special

is that peculiar is out of the ordinary; odd; curious; unusual while special is distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.

As nouns the difference between peculiar and special

is that peculiar is that which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic while special is a reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.

peculiar

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Out of the ordinary; odd; curious; unusual.
  • The sky had a peculiar appearance before the storm.
    It would be rather peculiar to see a kangaroo hopping down a city street.
  • * 1800 , , Volume 41, page 379,
  • I saw nothing peculiar in his conduct, and thought that his arrangement of the ballot box was perfect.
  • * 2001 , Jack Schaefer, Wendell Minor, Shane ,
  • "Wasn't it peculiar ," I heard mother say, "How he wouldn't talk about himself?"
    "Peculiar ?" said father. "Well, yes, in a way."
    "Everything about him is peculiar ." Mother sounded as if she was stirred up and interested. "I never saw a man quite like him before."
  • * 2008', Stephen Arnott, '''''Peculiar Proverbs: Weird Words of Wisdom from Around the World .
  • Common or usual for a certain place or circumstance; specific or particular.
  • Kangaroos are peculiar to Australia.
  • * 1855 , ,
  • This philosopher found his ideas especially in all that is practical,[29] that is, which rests upon freedom, which in its turn ranks under cognitions that are the peculiar product of reason.
  • *
  • * 1895 , , XX: Anomalous Islands: Celebes,
  • But of late years extensive Tertiary deposits of Miocene age have been discovered, showing that it is not a mere congeries of volcanoes; it [Iceland] is connected with the British Islands and with Greenland by seas less than 500 fathoms deep; and it possesses a few mammalia, one of which is peculiar', and at least three ' peculiar species of birds.
  • (dated) One's own; belonging solely or especially to an individual; not shared or possessed by others.
  • * Bible, Titus ii. 14
  • And purify unto himself a peculiar people.
  • * Hooker
  • hymns that Christianity hath peculiar unto itself
  • (dated) Particular; individual; special; appropriate.
  • * Milton
  • while each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat
  • * Dryden
  • My fate is Juno's most peculiar care.

    Synonyms

    * (out of the ordinary) strange, uncommon, unusual * (common or usual in a particular place or circumstance) specific

    Antonyms

    * (out of the ordinary) common, usual * (common or usual in a particular place or circumstance) common, general, universal

    Derived terms

    * peculiarity * peculiarly * peculiarness

    See also

    * (wikipedia "peculiar")

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic.
  • * South
  • Revenge is the peculiar of Heaven.
  • (UK, canon law) A particular parish or church which is exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary.
  • References

    ----

    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

    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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