- 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
Related Words for especialchief, distinguished, dominant, exclusive, express, extraordinary, individual, marked, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, paramount, peculiar, personal, predominant, preeminent, preponderant, principal, private, set
Examples from the Web for especial
Contemporary Examples of especial
It's like those cases where conservatives approve of "our" blacks and Latinos with an especial zeal.The Obama Brand
February 12, 2013
Historical Examples of especial
There was no especial change in the girl's voice as she answered his defense.Within the Law
His affection for Cassius is not a virtue to one in especial.The Man Shakespeare
I had hoped that no man would think of my especial kitchen plans.Her Father's Daughter
He had an especial dislike of learned and "dictionary words."The Works of Whittier, Volume VI (of VII)
John Greenleaf Whittier
To talk to you of the harbor, of course—that's her especial line these days.The Harbor
- unusual; notable; exceptionalhe paid especial attention to her that evening
- applying to one person or thing in particular; not general; specific; peculiarhe had an especial dislike of relatives
Word Origin for especial
late 14c., from Old French especial "pre-eminent, important," from Latin specialis "belonging to a particular kind or species," from species "kind" (see species).
Latin words with initial sp-, st-, sc- usually acquired an e- when borrowed by Old French. Modern French has restored the word to spécial. Originally with the same sense as special, later restricted to feelings, qualities, etc.