special definition

English special definition

Etymology

From Middle English *special, especial, especiall, from Old French especial (whence also French spécial), from Latin speciālis (from speciēs). Displaced native Old English synderlīċ. Doublet of especial.

Pronunciation

• enPR: spĕʹshəl, IPA^(key): /ˈspɛʃ.əl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛʃəl

Adjective

special (comparative more special or specialer, superlative most special or specialest)

1. Distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.

   a special episode of a television series

   • 2004, Carlin, George, “PLEASE DON'T SAY THAT”, in When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?‎^[1], New York: Hyperion Books, →ISBN, OCLC 757869006, OL 24604921M, page 132:

     EVERY CHILD IS SPECIAL
     An empty and meaningless sentiment. What about every adult? Isn't every adult special? And if not, then at what age does a person go from being special to being not-so-special? And if every adult is also special, then that means all people are special and the idea has no meaning.

2. Of particular personal interest or value; dear; beloved.

   Everyone is special to someone.

3. (euphemistic) Of or related to disabilities, especially learning or intellectual disabilities.

   special education, special needs

   He goes to a special school.

4. Constituting or relating to a species.

   The seven dark spots is a special property unique to Coccinella septempunctata.

5. Chief in excellence.
   • c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act IV, scene iv]:

     The king hath drawn / The special head of all the land together.

6. (military) Of or related to unconventional warfare.

   special forces, special operations

Antonyms

• (distinguished by a unique or unusual quality): common, non-special, ordinary, usual

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Noun

special (plural specials)

1. A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.

   We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.

2. One of a rotation of meals systematically offered for a lower price at a restaurant.

   Today's special is our tuna melt on rye.

3. (broadcasting) Unusual or exceptional episode of a series.

   Did you see the Christmas special?

4. (Britain, colloquial) A special constable.
5. 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.

6. Any unlicensed medicine produced or obtained for a specific individual patient.
7. (journalism) A correspondent; a journalist sent to the scene of an event to report back.
8. (journalism) A dispatch sent back by a special correspondent.
9. (theater) A light that illuminates a specific person or thing on the stage.
   • 2009, Steven Shelley, A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting (page 132)

     In addition to followspots, there will be three frontlight specials on Autoyokes hung on the truss to provide frontlight specials.

   • 2009, Jennifer Bringle, Lighting (page 23)

     The first is a special—a single lighting instrument that lights a particular spot on the stage. Specials generally have no color, or a more saturated color, allowing them to stand out through other lighting onstage.

10. (law) A person appointed specifically to examine a single event or issue.

    For the few times the U.S. Supreme Court has to actually try a case, they will appoint a special master to do so.

    After the Watergate break in, a special prosecutor was applointed.

Translations

Verb

special (third-person singular simple present specials, present participle specialing or specialling, simple past and past participle specialed or specialled)

1. (nursing) To supervise a patient one-on-one.
   • 1905, Shadyside Hospital (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Annual Report‎^[2], page 27:

     We have not sent our pupils out on private duty except a very few times, but they have an unusual amount of specialing to do inside.

   • 2015 July 7, Jo-Ann Giandinoto, Karen-leigh Edward, “The phenomenon of co-morbid physical and mental illness in acute medical care: the lived experience of Australian health professionals”, in BMC Research Notes‎^[3], volume 8, DOI:10.1186/s13104-015-1264-z:

     Participant three described their personal interest in mental health care: “I have an interest in mental health but I have found that other staff on the surgical ward who have been there for a while… often say I hate specialling these patients…”

Anagrams

• epicals, piacles, plaices

Dutch special definition

Etymology

Borrowed from English special.

Pronunciation

• (Netherlands) IPA^(key): /ˈspɛ.ʃɔl/, /ˈspɛ.ʃɑl/

• Audio

  (file)

• Hyphenation: spe‧ci‧al

Noun

special m (plural specials)

1. A special broadcast episode.

Related terms

• speciaal

Middle French special definition

Adjective

special m (feminine singular speciale, masculine plural speciaulx, feminine plural speciales)

1. special; extraordinary; beyond what is usual

Romanian special definition

Etymology

From French spécial, from Latin specialis.

Adjective

special m or n (feminine singular specială, masculine plural speciali, feminine and neuter plural speciale)

1. special

Declension