[spe.cial] adj [ME, fr. OF or L; OF especial, fr. L specialis individual, particular, fr. species species] (13c) 1: distinguished by some unusual quality; esp: being in some way superior "our ~ blend"
2: held in particular esteem "a ~ friend" 3 a: readily distinguishable from others of the same category: unique "they set it apart as a ~ day of thanksgiving" b: of, relating to, or constituting a species: specific
4: being other than the usual: additional, extra
5: designed for a particular purpose or occasion -- spe.cial.ness n syn special, especial, specific, particular, individual mean of or relating to one thing or class. special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own "special ingredients". especial may add implications of preeminence or preference "a matter of especial importance". specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species "children with specific nutritional needs". particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual "a ballet step of particular difficulty". individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group "valued each individual opinion".
[2]special n (1866) 1: one that is used for a special service or occasion "caught the commuter ~ to work"
2: something (as a television program) that is not part of a regular series