Main Entry:

es·pe·cial

Pronunciation:

\is-ˈpe-shəl\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French — more at special

Date:

14th century

: being distinctive: as a: directed toward a particular individual, group, or end <sent especial greetings to his son> <took especial care to speak clearly> b: of special note or importance : unusually great or significant <a decision of especial relevance> c: highly distinctive or personal : peculiar <had an especial dislike for music> d: close, intimate <his especial crony> e: specific, particular <had no especial destination in mind>

synonyms see special

— in especial

: in particular