'Special' definitions:

Definition of 'special'

(from WordNet)
adjective
Unique or specific to a person or thing or category; "the particular demands of the job"; "has a particular preference for Chinese art"; "a peculiar bond of sympathy between them"; "an expression peculiar to Canadians"; "rights peculiar to the rich"; "the special features of a computer"; "my own special chair" [syn: particular(a), peculiar(a), special(a)]
adjective
For a special service or occasion; "a special correspondent"; "a special adviser to the committee"; "had to get special permission for the event"
adjective
Surpassing what is common or usual or expected; "he paid especial attention to her"; "exceptional kindness"; "a matter of particular and unusual importance"; "a special occasion"; "a special reason to confide in her"; "what's so special about the year 2000?" [syn: especial(a), exceptional, particular(a), special]
adjective
Adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose; "a special kind of paint"; "a special medication for arthritis"
adjective
Having a specific function or scope; "a special (or specific) role in the mission" [syn: limited, special]
adjective
First and most important; "his special interest is music"; "she gets special (or particular) satisfaction from her volunteer work" [syn: particular, special]
adjective
Added to a regular schedule; "a special holiday flight"; "put on special buses for the big game" [syn: extra, special]
noun
A special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising; "they are having a special on pork chops"
noun
A dish or meal given prominence in e.g. a restaurant
noun
A television production that features a particular person or work or topic; "the last of a series of BBC specials on Iran is being shown tonight"

Definition of 'Special'

From: GCIDE
  • Special \Spe"cial\, a. [L. specialis, fr. species a particular sort, kind, or quality: cf. F. sp['e]cial. See Species, and cf. Especial.]
  • 1. Of or pertaining to a species; constituting a species or sort. [1913 Webster]
  • A special is called by the schools a "species". --I. Watts. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Particular; peculiar; different from others; extraordinary; uncommon. [1913 Webster]
  • Our Savior is represented everywhere in Scripture as the special patron of the poor and the afficted. --Atterbury. [1913 Webster]
  • To this special evil an improvement of style would apply a special redress. --De Quincey. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Appropriate; designed for a particular purpose, occasion, or person; as, a special act of Parliament or of Congress; a special sermon. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Limited in range; confined to a definite field of action, investigation, or discussion; as, a special dictionary of commercial terms; a special branch of study. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Chief in excellence. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • The king hath drawn The special head of all the land together. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Special administration (Law), an administration limited to certain specified effects or acts, or one granted during a particular time or the existence of a special cause, as during a controversy respecting the probate of a will, or the right of administration, etc.
  • Special agency, an agency confined to some particular matter.
  • Special bail, Bail above, or Bail to the action (Law), sureties who undertake that, if the defendant is convicted, he shall satisfy the plaintiff, or surrender himself into custody. --Tomlins. --Wharton (Law Dict.).
  • Special constable. See under Constable. --Bouvier.
  • Special damage (Law), a damage resulting from the act complained of, as a natural, but not the necessary, consequence of it.
  • Special demurrer (Law), a demurrer for some defect of form in the opposite party pleading, in which the cause of demurrer is particularly stated.
  • Special deposit, a deposit made of a specific thing to be kept distinct from others.
  • Special homology. (Biol.) See under Homology.
  • Special injuction (Law), an injuction granted on special grounds, arising of the circumstances of the case. --Daniell.
  • Special issue (Law), an issue produced upon a special plea. --Stephen.
  • Special jury (Law), a jury consisting of persons of some particular calling, station, or qualification, which is called upon motion of either party when the cause is supposed to require it; a struck jury.
  • Special orders (Mil.), orders which do not concern, and are not published to, the whole command, such as those relating to the movement of a particular corps, a detail, a temporary camp, etc.
  • Special partner, a limited partner; a partner with a limited or restricted responsibility; -- unknown at common law.
  • Special partnership, a limited or particular partnership; -- a term sometimes applied to a partnership in a particular business, operation, or adventure.
  • Special plea in bar (Law), a plea setting forth particular and new matter, distinguished from the general issue. --Bouvier.
  • Special pleader (Law), originally, a counsel who devoted himself to drawing special counts and pleas; in a wider sense, a lawyer who draws pleadings.
  • Special pleading (Law), the allegation of special or new matter, as distingiushed from a direct denial of matter previously alleged on the side. --Bouvier. The popular denomination of the whole science of pleading. --Stephen. The phrase is sometimes popularly applied to the specious, but unsound, argumentation of one whose aim is victory, and not truth. --Burrill.
  • Special property (Law), a qualified or limited ownership possession, as in wild animals, things found or bailed.
  • Special session, an extraordinary session; a session at an unusual time or for an unusual purpose; as, a special session of Congress or of a legislature.
  • Special statute, or Special law, an act of the legislature which has reference to a particular person, place, or interest; a private law; -- in distinction from a general law or public law.
  • Special verdict (Law), a special finding of the facts of the case, leaving to the court the application of the law to them. --Wharton (Law Dict.). [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: Peculiar; appropriate; specific; dictinctive; particular; exceptional; singular. See Peculiar. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Special'

From: GCIDE
  • Special \Spe"cial\, n.
  • 1. A particular. [Obs.] --Hammond. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. One appointed for a special service or occasion. [1913 Webster]
  • In special, specially; in particular. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'special'

From: Moby Thesaurus