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