ESPECIAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does especial mean? 

• ESPECIAL (adjective)
  The adjective ESPECIAL has 1 sense:

1. surpassing what is common or usual or expected

  Familiarity information: ESPECIAL used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ESPECIAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Surpassing what is common or usual or expected

Synonyms:

especial; exceptional; particular; special

Context example:

what's so special about the year 2000?

Similar:

uncommon (not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind)

 Context examples 

Taking advantage of the propitious moment, Meg slipped away and ran down to greet her husband with a smiling face and the little blue bow in her hair which was his especial admiration.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Mrs. Gummidge, no longer moping in her especial corner, was busy preparing breakfast.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

A chill wind was blowing that nipped him sharply and bit with especial venom into his wounded shoulder.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Strange to say, in spite of the general foreboding, nothing of especial moment happened on the Ghost.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Humility is a Christian grace, and one peculiarly appropriate to the pupils of Lowood; I, therefore, direct that especial care shall be bestowed on its cultivation amongst them.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

"His case in your diary interest me much, and it had bearing, too, now and again on our case. I should much like to see him, and especial when his mind is disturbed."

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

That is not much to the purpose now; and as to my being in parliament, I believe I must wait till there is an especial assembly for the representation of younger sons who have little to live on.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Harriet, Mr. Elton, and Mr. Knightley, their own especial set, were the only persons invited to meet them;—the hours were to be early, as well as the numbers few; Mr. Woodhouse's habits and inclination being consulted in every thing.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

The agony of my feelings allowed me no respite; no incident occurred from which my rage and misery could not extract its food; but a circumstance that happened when I arrived on the confines of Switzerland, when the sun had recovered its warmth and the earth again began to look green, confirmed in an especial manner the bitterness and horror of my feelings.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

"One thing I leave in your especial care," she said, the night before she left.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)