Peculiar vs Special - What's the difference?
peculiar | special |
Out of the ordinary; odd; curious; unusual.
* 1800 , , Volume 41,
* 2001 , Jack Schaefer, Wendell Minor, Shane ,
* 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.
* 1855 , ,
*
* 1895 , , XX: Anomalous Islands: Celebes,
(dated) One's own; belonging solely or especially to an individual; not shared or possessed by others.
* Bible, Titus ii. 14
* Hooker
(dated) Particular; individual; special; appropriate.
* Milton
* Dryden
That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic.
* South
(UK, canon law) A particular parish or church which is exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary.
----
Distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.
Of particular interest or value; certain; dear; beloved; favored.
(euphemistic, derogatory) Retarded; mentally handicapped
Constituting or relating to a species.
Chief in excellence.
* Shakespeare
A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.
(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.
(video games) special move
* 1995 , "Tony Pordon", Tekken Review [PSX]'' (on newsgroup ''rec.games.video.misc )
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)- The sky had a peculiar appearance before the storm.
- It would be rather peculiar to see a kangaroo hopping down a city street.
page 379,
- I saw nothing peculiar in his conduct, and thought that his arrangement of the ballot box was perfect.
- "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."
- Kangaroos are peculiar to Australia.
- 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.
- 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.
- And purify unto himself a peculiar people.
- hymns that Christianity hath peculiar unto itself
- while each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat
- 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) specificAntonyms
* (out of the ordinary) common, usual * (common or usual in a particular place or circumstance) common, general, universalDerived terms
* peculiarity * peculiarly * peculiarnessSee also
* (wikipedia "peculiar")Noun
(en noun)- Revenge is the peculiar of Heaven.
References
special
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- a special episode of a television series
- Everyone is special to someone.
- He goes to a special school.
- The seven dark spots is a special property unique to ''Coccinella septempunctata''.
- 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 opsNoun
(en noun)- We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.
- Thousands came to see the special that carried the President's coffin.
- Using the right moves, you can sometimes chain 2 specials in a row to form multiple hit combos.