special
Language: English
Part of speech: adj
Pronunciation: enpr: spĕʹshəl
ipa: /ˈspɛʃ.l̩/
ipa: [ˈspɛʃ.ɫ̩]
rhymes: -ɛʃəl
Forms: form: more special
form: specialer
form: most special
form: specialest
Etymology: From Middle English *special, especial, especiall, from Old French especial (whence also French spécial), from Latin speciālis (from speciēs). In this sense displaced native Old English synderlīċ. Doublet of especial.
Senses: examples: text: a special episode of a television series
text: her special blend of spices
text: 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.
ref: 2004, George Carlin, “PLEASE DON'T SAY THAT”, in When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?, New York: Hyperion Books, →ISBN, →OCLC, →OL, page 132:
glosses: Distinguished by a unique, particular, or unusual quality.
examples: text: Everyone is special to someone.
text: his special friend of many years, Bill
glosses: Of particular value or interest; dear; beloved.
examples: text: special forces, special operations
topics: government
military
politics
war
glosses: Of or related to unconventional warfare.
examples: 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 appointed.
topics: law
glosses: Appointed specifically to examine a single event or issue.
examples: text: Having seven dark spots is a special property unique to Coccinella septempunctata.
synonyms: specific
glosses: Constituting or relating to a species.
examples: text: special education, special needs
text: He goes to a special school.
glosses: Of or related to disabilities, especially learning or intellectual disabilities.
examples: text: What do you mean, you don't understand the sign? What are you, special?
glosses: Of or related to disabilities, especially learning or intellectual disabilities.
Stupid, lacking intelligence.
examples: text: The parents told the kids not to bother them during special time.
text: The girl said the man had tried to touch her special place.
glosses: Of, being, or pertaining to sexual intercourse or the genitals.
examples: text: This book will help you to […] • Cook with the confidence that the neighbors won't find out your brownies are 'special' • Never again worry about getting caught growing because someone smelled your garden
ref: 2012 November 1, Klyde, How To Hide The Smell Of Weed, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 9:
text: Then with the rest of the money I use it to pay for the building, maintenance, utilities, up keep, and the special brownies! In addition, I have bongs that the parishioners can use if they forget to bring their own bongs for smoking.
ref: 2020 March 19, I. D. Oro, Mexico Wall 130, I. D. Oro, page 136:
text: “Jen, when someone offers you 'special' brownies or 'funny' brownies, they have pot in them. You're totally high right now.” Me, high? No way! No one ever offered the nerdy girl drugs. And I'd never, ever accept them.
ref: 2021 June 15, Laura Heffernan, Sweet Reality, Empress Books:
text: “They're special brownies,” said Rosie. Special brownies! Of course they were special! They were perfect and delicious! What a great word to describe them! Rosie caught on that Lulu had not caught on. “Special brownies. Happy brownies. […] They're the ones that have weed in them.”
ref: 2021 September 23, Gillian A. Corsiatto, Duck Light, FriesenPress, →ISBN, page 5:
glosses: Infused with a drug, especially marijuana; that is an edible.
Derived terms: word: antispecial
word: especial
word: especially
word: genderspecial
word: manager's special
word: nothing special
word: on special
word: special administrative region
word: special agent
word: special area
word: special-case
word: special case
word: special character
word: special constable
word: special counsel
word: special creation
word: special damages
word: special defence
word: special defense
word: special delivery
word: special drawing right
word: special economic zone
word: special ed
word: special education
word: special education advocate
word: special educator
word: special effect
word: special election
word: special event
word: special forces
word: special fried rice
word: special friend
word: special function
word: special grace
word: special handling unit
word: special interest
word: special interest group
english: specialization
translation: specialization
word: specialisation
english: specialize
translation: specialize
word: specialise
word: special issue
word: specialist
word: speciality
word: special lassi
word: special licence
word: special linear group
word: specially
word: special master
word: special measures
word: special military operation
word: special move
word: specialness
word: Special Olympics
word: special omelette
word: special operation
word: special operations
word: special ops
word: special order sale
word: special pleader
word: special pleading
word: special proceeding
word: special prosecutor
word: special-purpose entity
word: special-purpose vehicle
word: special rapporteur
word: special relationship
word: special relativity
word: special resolution
word: special retainer
word: special revelation
word: special rights
word: special saloon
word: special sauce
word: special school
word: special service request
word: special service requirement
word: special session
word: special situation
word: special snowflake
word: special snowflake syndrome
word: special someone
word: special stage
word: special team
word: special teamer
word: specialty
word: special unitary group
word: special verdict
word: special victims unit
word: special ward
word: special warranty deed
word: suicide special
word: toasted special
word: very special episode