Main Entry:

¹pe·cu·liar

Pronunciation:

\pi-ˈkyül-yər\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English peculier, from Latin peculiaris of private property, special, from peculium private property, from pecu cattle; akin to Latin pecus cattle — more at fee

Date:

15th century

1: characteristic of only one person, group, or thing : distinctive2: different from the usual or normal: a: special, particular b: odd, curious c: eccentric, queer

synonyms see characteristic, strange

— pe·cu·liar·ly adverb