Etymology From Middle English *special, especial, especiall, from Old French especial (whence also French spécial), from Latin speciālis (from speciēs). In this sense displaced native Old English synderlīċ. Doublet of especial.
Distinguished by a unique, particular, or unusual quality.
a special episode of a television series
her special blend of spices
1 more example
EVERY CHILD IS SPECIAL An empty and meaningless sentiment. What about every adult? Isn't every adult special? And if not, then at what age does a person go from being special to being not-so-special? And if every adult is also special, then that means all people are special and the idea has no meaning.2004, George Carlin, “PLEASE DON'T SAY THAT”, in When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?, New York: Hyperion Books, →ISBN, →OCLC, →OL, page 132:
What do you mean, you don't understand the sign? What are you, special?
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Euphemistic Of, being, or pertaining to sexual intercourse or the genitals.
The parents told the kids not to bother them during special time.
The girl said the man had tried to touch her special place.
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Euphemistic Infused with a drug, especially marijuana; being an edible.
This book will help you to […] • Cook with the confidence that the neighbors won't find out your brownies are 'special' • Never again worry about getting caught growing because someone smelled your garden2012 November 1, Klyde, How To Hide The Smell Of Weed, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 9:
Then with the rest of the money I use it to pay for the building, maintenance, utilities, up keep, and the special brownies! In addition, I have bongs that the parishioners can use if they forget to bring their own bongs for smoking.2020 March 19, I. D. Oro, Mexico Wall 130, I. D. Oro, page 136:
2 more examples
“Jen, when someone offers you 'special' brownies or 'funny' brownies, they have pot in them. You're totally high right now.” Me, high? No way! No one ever offered the nerdy girl drugs. And I'd never, ever accept them.2021 June 15, Laura Heffernan, Sweet Reality, Empress Books:
“They're special brownies,” said Rosie. Special brownies! Of course they were special! They were perfect and delicious! What a great word to describe them! Rosie caught on that Lulu had not caught on. “Special brownies. Happy brownies. […] They're the ones that have weed in them.”2021 September 23, Gillian A. Corsiatto, Duck Light, FriesenPress, →ISBN, page 5:
Etymology From Middle English *special, especial, especiall, from Old French especial (whence also French spécial), from Latin speciālis (from speciēs). In this sense displaced native Old English synderlīċ. Doublet of especial.
A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered; the thing thus sold.
We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.
I didn't have much money, so I bought the special.
2
A meal offered only at a certain time by a restaurant, not as a standing fixture of the menu; often, one of a rotation of meals systematically offered for a lower price; also often a dish at a nondiscounted price that is seasonal or otherwise exciting or unusual.
Today's dinner special is wild salmon, which we don't normally get a chance to offer.
The Tuesday lunch special is our tuna melt on rye.
And you can't trust a "Special" like the old-time copper when you can't find your way home.1919, Fred W. Leigh, Charles Collins, “My Old Man”performed by Marie Lloyd:
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Anything that is not according to normal practice, plan, or schedule, as an unscheduled run of transportation that is normally scheduled.
Thousands came to see the special that carried the President's coffin.
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Any unlicensed medicine produced or obtained for a specific individual patient.
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An award, typically a free game, that is made available to the player upon reaching or completing a major objective in a pinball game.
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Journalism, Media A journalist sent to the scene of an event to report back.
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Journalism, Media A dispatch sent back by a special correspondent.
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Entertainment, Lifestyle, Theater A light that illuminates a specific person or thing on the stage.
In addition to followspots, there will be three frontlight specials on Autoyokes hung on the truss to provide frontlight specials.2009, Steven Shelley, A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, page 132:
The first is a special—a single lighting instrument that lights a particular spot on the stage. Specials generally have no color, or a more saturated color, allowing them to stand out through other lighting onstage.2009, Jennifer Bringle, Lighting, page 23:
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One of certain mixed-breed dogs.
Singapore Special; Darwin special
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A racehorse predicted to win; a sure thing.
"How's your horse going to go Fatty?" My replies included, "It's a special." "Get on. It can't be beaten."1995, Paul Vautin, Turn It Up!, Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia, page 146:
Etymology From Middle English *special, especial, especiall, from Old French especial (whence also French spécial), from Latin speciālis (from speciēs). In this sense displaced native Old English synderlīċ. Doublet of especial.
1
To supervise a patient one-on-one.
We have not sent our pupils out on private duty except a very few times, but they have an unusual amount of specialing to do inside.1905, Shadyside Hospital (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Annual Report, page 27:
Participant three described their personal interest in mental health care: “I have an interest in mental health but I have found that other staff on the surgical ward who have been there for a while… often say I hate specialling these patients…”2015 July 7, Jo-Ann Giandinoto, Karen-leigh Edward, “The phenomenon of co-morbid physical and mental illness in acute medical care: the lived experience of Australian health professionals”, in BMC Research Notes, volume 8, →DOI: