Special

a., adv. and sb. Forms: 3–6 specyal (4 -el), 4–5 -alle, 4–6 -all; 3–6 speciale, 4 -ele, 5 speceale; 3– special (4 -el), 4–6 -alle, 4–7 -all, 6 spetiall, 7 speaciall. [ad. OF. especial (see ESPECIAL a.) or L. speciālis individual, particular, f. speciēs SPECIES. Cf. It. speciale, speziale; MDu. speciael (Du. speciaal), G. spec-, spezial, -iell.]

  A.  adj. 1. Of such a kind as to exceed or excel in some way that which is usual or common; exceptional in character, quality or degree: a. Of actions, qualities, etc.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 56. Nullich þet no mon iseo ou bute he habbe leaue speciale of ower meistre.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 8730. Special loue þer adde ibe er … Bituene him & þe kinges doȝter Mold of scotlonde.

c. 1340.  Hampole, Pr. Consc., 2781. For þe saul for ilka penaunce here, Sal haf specyel ioy in heven swa clere.

c. 1384.  Chaucer, H. Fame, 68. I wol make Inuocacion With special deuocion.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), xi. 49. Þerfore scho had a speciale gift of Godd.

c. 1430.  Lydg., Min. Poems (Percy Soc.), 44. Do almesse dedes where nede is specialle.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., II. xi. 214. Forto make … persoones come into remembraunce of a mater, ymagis & picturis seruen in a specialer maner than bokis doon.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 2. This treatyse promyseth … thre great prerogatiues or special benefytes.

1573.  G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (Camden), 1. Harti thanks for the … special gud wil which you have alwais … shewid me.

1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., III. iv. 69. Let some of my people haue a speciall care of him.

1624.  Ussher, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 131. The first bookes that I shall have speciall neede of.

1667.  Milton, P. L., II. 1033. Mortals … whom God and good Angels guard by special grace.

1717.  in Nairne Peerage Evid. (1874), 145. With the special advice and consent of his said lady.

1781.  Cowper, Expost., 631. The moles and bats in full assembly find, On special search, the keen-ey’d eagle blind.

1818.  Scott, Hrt. Midl., xxxiv. As you say you have special reason to apprehend violence from them.

1857.  Miller, Elem. Chem., Org., ii. § 4. 97. The foregoing facts … have a special interest.

1867.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1877), I. App. 645. Men of no special celebrity.

  b.  Of material things, events, etc.

13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., A. 235. Ho profered me speche, þat special spyce.

1340–70.  Alisaunder, 183. Ðer sprong neuer spicerie so speciall in erþe.

1535.  Coverdale, Jer. xxii. 7. I will prepare a destroyer … to hew downe thy special Cedre trees.

1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., II. v. 35. Thinges most speciall and woorthie of memorie.

1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 335. A speciall fountaine, into which God infused a wonderfull gift and vertue.

1685.  R. Burton, Eng. Emp. Amer., xxii. 208. They have Horses so plentifull that a special one may be bought for six or seven pound.

1831.  Scott, Cast. Dang., i. A few special spots excepted, the soil … was more and more mixed with the pastoral and woodland country.

1833.  Ht. Martineau, Cinnamon & Pearls, v. 92. A special instrument of forcing the means of production into artificial channels.

  c.  Of persons.

1461.  Paston Lett., II. 51. I shuld have had as speciall and as gode a maister of you, as any pour man.

1503.  Hawes, Examp. Virt., xiv. 292. Our Sauyour Ihesu deere and specyall.

a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Edw. V., 13 b. One of the speciallest contriuers of all thys horrible treason.

1639.  Fuller, Holy War, II. xl. 97. These proved excellent souldiers and speciall horsemen, and are called Mammalukes.

1747.  Hoadly, Suspicious Husband, I. iii. A special Acquaintance I have made to-day!

1854.  Miss Baker, Northampt. Gloss., s.v., She’s a special favourite.

1904.  A. Griffiths, 50 Years Public Service, xii. 169. A strong brigade of single workers, ‘special’ convicts, ‘blue dress men’ of exemplary conduct.

  † d.  spec. Notable, important, distinguished. Obs.

1576.  Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 377. Secrete sciences, which hee did impart but to a verie fewe, the same being special persons.

1591.  Reg. Privy Council Scot., Ser. I. IV. 623. The speciall and cheif personis of the said parochin.

1602.  Fulbecke, Pandects, 32. So did the Thebane state a long time florish … by the wisedome of Pelopidas, Epamondas, and other speciall men.

1631.  Weever, Anc. Funeral Mon., 516. These I suppose to be the burials of some special persons.

  e.  colloq. Particularly interested or informed.

1830.  Galt, Lawrie T., II. v. (1849), 56. I ain’t special ’bout pedigrees.

  2.  Of friends: Admitted to particular intimacy; held in particular esteem.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 13365. Þe bridgom did alle þider call His specialiest freindes all.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 9. Þan special frendes þat knewe myn entent … prayed me besiliche, þat [etc.].

1422.  trans. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv., 151. Yestyrday he hadd frendys Speciall, but to-day he haue ham all y-lyke.

c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xiv. 344. Come nere, my specyall frende.

1535.  Coverdale, Acts x. 24. Cornelius … had called together his kynszfolkes and speciall frendes.

1691.  Wood, Ath. Oxon., II. 191. This book, as Mr. Ley’s special friend hath told me, was written by the said Ley.

1862.  A. K. H. Boyd, Graver Thoughts Country Parson, xiv. 240. A Christian man ought never to choose for his special friend a person who he knows has no religion.

  † b.  Particularly intimate; closely attached by acquaintance or friendship. Const. to, with. Obs.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 17626. Þai send forth seuen men o wale, War mast to ioseph speciale.

c. 1325.  Metr. Hom., 30. An cloyster monk loued him ful wel, And was til him ful speciel.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, V. 501. Thai vald nocht persauit be, That thai war speciall to the king.

c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 2610. Elfled, þat honorabil abbas, To whaim cuthbert sa special was. Ibid., 7885. He was speciall to þe kyng.

c. 1500.  Lancelot, 411. To them that war to hyme most speciall. Ibid., 906. For o knycht he send, That was most speciall with the lady kend.

  3.  Marked off from others of the kind by some distinguishing qualities or features; having a distinct or individual character; also, in weakened sense, particular, certain.

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 8319. Ȝyt ys þyr a specyal spece Þat doþ leccherye klymbe by a grece.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Pars. T., ¶ 488. Alle other synnes ben somtyme oonly agains oon special vertu; but certes envye is agayns alle vertues.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 27. Eueriche prouince and londe is descryued for to me come to Britayne þe laste of alle, as most special.

1535.  Coverdale, Zech. xiv. 8. This shalbe that specyall daye, which is knowne vnto the Lorde.

1561.  T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., I. 32. Seing it is the purpose of y^e Prophet to adorn Christ with such special notes as may builde our Faith vpon him.

1620.  T. Granger, Div. Logike, 43. Aristotle saith, a man is the most speciall.

1628.  T. Spencer, Logick, 131. That is most speciall, vnto which there can be no other Species inferior.

1725.  Watts, Logic, I. iii. § 3. A special Idea is call’d by the Schools, a Species.

1768–74.  Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), I. 474. As well in entire systems as in their sundry parts, yea, members, and moreover, the speciallest species of them.

1841.  Penny Cycl., XXI. 178/2. Of Special or Local Secretions. Ibid. Secreted in a particular part of plants for a special purpose.

1861.  M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 48. The Germans …. maintained in it an altar, and had their own masses said in it on special days.

1884.  J. Sully, Outlines Psychol., xii. 553. The order of development of the special sensibilities … concerned.

  b.  In predicative use: Limited or restricted.

1848.  J. T. White, Xenophon’s Anab., III. iv. § 15 Notes (1872), 174. Zeune refers the term to their imitating the Scythians in the mode of discharging the arrow; but this is too special.

  c.  Additional to the usual or ordinary.

1840.  Rep. Sel. Comm. Railw. Quest., 255. I believe this special train was the next.

1847.  in Thames Valley Times (1887), 22 June, 5/3. Special Trains may be engaged for large Parties.

1882.  J. Hatton, Journalistic Lond., 148. The whole Morning Standard is printed in one hour and fifty minutes,… and the special edition in forty-five minutes.

  4.  Of persons: a. Appointed or employed for a particular purpose or occasion. † Also in predicative use (with in).

13[?].  K. Alis., 7609 (Laud MS.). By a speciale messager, I wil hir sende loue drurye.

13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., B. 1492. Bifore þe sancta sanctorum soþefast dryȝtyn Expouned his speche spiritually to special prophetes.

c. 1400.  Love, Bonavent. Mirr. (1908), 49. Peraunter gabriel that was special messanger of this werk.

1405.  Rolls of Parlt., III. 605/1. Our generalls and specialls Attornes and Deputes.

c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 843. Þai were speciale in his seruyse.

1646.  Gataker, Mistake Removed, 18. Having from the mouth of God, by a special expresse, received a release.

1801–31.  [see CONSTABLE 5 e].

1856.  Men of the Time, 687. He [W. H. Russell] was deputed to be the special correspondent of the ‘Times’ in the Crimea. Ibid. (1865), 714/2. He [W. H. Russell] was employed as Special Commissioner during the Irish famine.

  b.  Devoted to a particular or limited field of study or research.

1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 120. Some well-known (and not too special) specialist.

  5.  Having an individual, particular or limited application, object or intention; affecting or concerning a single person, thing, circumstance, etc., or a particular class of these.

  Special intention: see INTENTION 12 b.

13[?].  Coer de L., 6471. The abbot … brought hym lettres speciele, Aselyd with the barouns sele.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 441. Þai say furst, þat speciale prayere … is better þen generale.

c. 1400.  Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 195. Þe white morphu is curid … wiþ þis special medicyn.

1444.  Rolls of Parlt., V. 111/2. That … a speciall Commission be made to the chief Justice of your Benche.

1526.  Skelton, Magnyf., 2464. From you I receyued a letter, Whiche conteyned in it a specyall clause That I sholde vse Largesse.

1570–6.  Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 329. Of a speciall intent and purpose to pray to God for raine.

1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., V. i. 292. There doe I giue to you … a speciall deed of gift.

1613.  Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 918. On which day this … came … without any special appointment, to the presse.

1651.  Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxvi. 145. In which case there is no speciall Law ordained.

1764.  Burn, Poor Laws, 194. To … distribute the same, together with other special benefactions, to such as shall have most need.

1802.  Paley, Nat. Theol., xv. (1819), 242. It is a special purpose, specially consulted throughout.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vi. II. 51. He was sent to London charged with several special commissions of high importance.

1862.  Sat. Rev., 8 Feb., 147. Popular theology dispenses with special knowledge as a key to difficulties.

1892.  Photogr. Ann., II. 285. I could not very well include it under ‘Special Cameras.’

  b.  Entering into details or particulars; precise.

1681.  Lond. Gaz., No. 1648/4. Providing always that the Libel … be special, as to a certain place…; and also be special as to the time.

1876.  E. Mellor, Priesthood, viii. 348. This confession must not only be general, but special, involving a minute description of all the circumstances in which the sins were committed.

  6.  Having close, intimate, or exclusive connection or relationship with one person or thing (or set of these); peculiar: a. Of persons.

1382.  Wyclif, Deut. vii. 6. That thow be to hym a special puple.

1456.  Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 253. [The] king of Napples mon … mak … oblissing to the pape as specale lord soverane till him.

1508.  Kennedie, Flyting w. Dunbar, 417. I am the kingis blude, his trew speciall clerk.

1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., I. i. 171. To Eltam will I, where the young King is, Being ordayn’d his speciall Gouernor.

1611.  Bible, Deut. vii. 6. The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people vnto himselfe.

1737.  Challoner, Cath. Chr. Instr., 213. In this Nation we keep the Days of St. Thomas of Canterbury, and of St. George, as our special Patrons.

1898.  Watts-Dunton, Aylwin, I. ii. (1899), 12. I always looked upon him as my special paid henchman.

  b.  Of things.

1484.  Caxton, Chivalry, 89. The comyn wele is gretter and more necessary than propre good and specyall.

1548.  Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Luke v. 54 b. The propre and moste speciall office of suche an one.

1578.  Lyte, Dodoens, II. xliv. 202. Floures … without any speciall smell.

1599.  Hakluyt, Voy., II. II. 4. Their language was speciall, and not mixed with Romane speech or Arabian.

1673–4.  Grew, Anat. Pl., Trunks (1682), 132. The specifying of the Sap dependeth chiefly on the special Nature of the Parts.

1850.  McCosh, Div. Govt., III. i. (1874), 296. Every intuitive principle in our constitution has its special truth to reveal and sanction.

1870.  J. Yeats, Nat. Hist. Comm., 1. Each region has its special treasures.

1884.  R. Paton, Scott. Ch., viii. 81. Columba … had his special cell at Iona, in which he wrote and read.

  c.  Const. to.

1871.  Ruskin, Arrows of Chace (1880), I. 227. Nearly every great church in France has some merit special to itself.

1894.  Nature’s Method in Evol. Life, vii. 77. The new force special to the whale.

  7.  Law. Used with a large number of legal terms to denote particular or distinctive instances or cases of the thing, action or person in question, as special bail, bailiff bastard(y, heir, occupant, resolution, tail, verdict.

  See also JURY 2 d, and SPECIAL PLEADER, PLEADING.

1495.  [see TAIL sb.² 3 b].

1544.  trans. Littleton’s Tenures, 4 b. Tenaunt in tayle specyal, is where landes and tenementes be gyuen vnto a man and his wyfe and the heyres of theyr .ii. bodyes begoten.

1665.  Euer, Tryals per Pais, xiii. 166–7. A Special Verdict, or Verdict at large, is so called, because it findeth the special matter at large, and leaveth the Judgement of the Law thereupon, to the Court.

1720.  T. Wood, Inst. Laws Eng., II. 1009. The Special Pleas are many, as Per dures, Per Minas.

1768.  Blackstone, Comm., II. 259. There the heir might, and still may, enter and hold possession, and is called in law a special occupant. Ibid. (1769), III. 287. In order to arrest the defendant, and make him put in substantial sureties for his appearance, called special bail.

1818.  Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), VI. 413. With a subsequent devise to the heirs general, or special, or issue, of A.

1835.  Tomlins’s Law Dict., I. s.v. Bailiff, Formerly bailiffs of hundreds were the officers to execute writs; but now it is done by special bailiffs, put in with them by the sheriff. Ibid., s.v. Bastard, Bastardy, in relation to the several manners of its trial, is distinguished into general and special bastardy.

1845.  Stephen, Comm. Laws Eng. (1874), II. 176. By ‘special’ resolution—i. e., by one passed by a majority in number and three-fourths in value of the creditors present.

  8.  Comb. In collocations used attributively, as special-creation, -service, -temper, or derivatives of these, as special-creationist, -correspondently adv.

1886.  Spencer, in 19th Cent., May, 766. The point of view of the special-creationist.

1887.  Pall Mall Gaz., 10 Jan., 6/1. When the special-service man desires to inculcate caution on the driver of the next train, he affixes a single detonator to the rail.

1891.  R. Kipling, Life’s Handicap, 86. It suited him to talk special-correspondently.

1895.  W. H. Hudson, Spencer’s Philos., 37. The special-creation hypothesis and the postulate of the world’s recent origin and rapid manufacture had served well enough so long as their field had remained uninvaded by the results of investigation.

1897.  Outing, XXX. 279/1. The crank and crank-axle on the modern wheel is mostly a continuous piece made from a special-temper tool steel.

1901.  Daily Tel., 9 March, 9/3. Two British special service officers have left London for the Abyssinian capital.

  B.  adv. and in phr. in special.

  1.  In a special manner; especially, particularly. Now only colloq. or dial.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 27972. Speciale þan cals þis sin Wrak o him þat ligges þar-in.

1340.  Ayenb., 230. Oure lhordes lemman special is yloued þet lokeþ maydenhod.

14[?].  Sir Beues (C), 688 + 3. Sche preyed yow specyalle, To come & speke with hur yn preuyte.

1451.  Capgrave, Life St. Aug., 35. He comendid gretly his cunnyng and special his deuocion.

1513.  Bradshaw, St. Werburge, I. 2460. It [i.e., an exemption] to confyrme and roborate specyall With charters and dedes and seales patent.

1545.  Raynald, Byrth Mankynde, 124. Sethe them in white wyne, and therein lap the infante, spetiall yf it be not taken ouer great heate.

1600.  J. Pory, trans. Leo’s Africa, VI. 278. Great plenty of dates, which … are speciall good.

1613.  Ussher, Lett. (1686), 17. One thing therein I think special worthy of observation.

1670.  J. Smith, Eng. Improv. Reviv’d, 65. The Chesnut is special good Timber for Building.

1765.  Cowper, Lett., 5 Nov. They [the Unwins] live in a special good house.

1851.  Helps, Companions of Solit., vii. 143. A case came on rather unexpectedly … and I was sent for ‘special’ as we say.

1856.  2nd Rep. Postmaster General, 12. That the Night Mail train should be run special (without passengers).

1859.  Thackeray, Virgin., ix. The Duke of Marlborough was no special good penman.

  † 2.  In special: a. Specially, especially, particularly. Obs.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, I. 901. Se that thow in special Requere not that is ayens her name.

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 7. The world is changed overal, And therof most in special That love is falle into discord.

c. 1400.  Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483), IV. xxxiii. 81. Ther ben other counceylours of the kynge that haue for to sene in special to gouernaunce of his propre goodes.

c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., I. xlviii. 211. The Emperour made a generall feste, to the whiche þe Erle was i-bede in speciall.

1500.  in Exch. Rolls Scotl., XII. 266, note. To all and sindry oure liegis … and in speciale to our custumaris of oure burgh of Abirdene.

1551.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, I. (1895), 33. Chyefelye suche thynges as shalbe profytable to be knowne; as in specyall be thoese decrees and ordinaunces.

1603.  Bodley, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), 44. We have a speech given out, among Papists in special, of a match … between our Prince and the King of Spain’s … daughter.

1665.  Bunyan, Holy Citie (1669), 62. Which Salvation I take in special to signifie our fortification and safety from the wrath of God.

1680.  W. Allen, Peace & Unity, 133. He singles out this in special as the matter of his request to his Father in one of the last Prayers he was to make in this World.

  † b.  In detail; so as to enter into particulars. Obs.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 268. Ȝe han wel & couenably taught me as in general how I shal gouerne me…. But now wolde I fayn þat ȝe wolde condescende in special.

1401.  26 Pol. Poems, iii. 49. I speke not in specyale Of oo kyngdom the lawe to telle; I speke hool in generale.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., V. xv. 562. That y be not ouer long … y speke not of thilk mater in special here.

1573.  Satir. Poems Reform., xl. 106. That this may be maid mair manifest, I will discurs sum thing in speciall Tuiching this Lamp.

  † c.  In an individual, separate or distinctive manner. Obs.

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 18. I wol noght seie in general, For ther ben somme in special In whom that alle vertu duelleth. Ibid., 92. Bot such a thing in special, Which to hem alle in general Is most plesant.

1469.  Waterf. Arch., in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 307. If ony suete or chalange be … so done in commene or in speciall.

1508.  Dunbar, Tua Mariit Wemen, 495. To euery man in speciall speke I sum wordis.

c. 1550.  ‘Faine wald I, with all diligence,’ in Dunbar’s Poems (1893), 310. And thocht I say in generale, Sum sall it tak in speciale.

  C.  sb. † 1. A particularly intimate or favorite friend, associate or follower. Obs.

c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., I. 23. Þat specials to hym were.

13[?].  Cour de L., 2352. Let him yelde my tresor every dele If he [Those] till whaim aungels ere gret specials.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 8830. Thus he spake for his spede his specials vnto.

a. 1450.  trans. De Imitatione, II. viii. 49. Lete ihesu be sool þy derlyng and þy special.

1581.  Satir. Poems Reform., xliii. 129. Ane of the speciallis [that] did mentene ȝour croun, Ȝour ferme protectour in ȝour tender ȝeiris.

1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., II. 84. To require libertie to cum to Scotland with … his garde of a thousand specialis.

a. 1660.  Hammond, Serm. Prov. i. 22 (1664), 42. The Saviour, that hath promises of long life annexed to some specials of his service.

  † b.  A (female) sweetheart or paramour; a mistress or concubine. Obs.

c. 1375.  in Rel. Ant., I. 40. Byhold, my derlyng, speketh to me, arys, come nerre, my special, come.

1388.  Pol. Poems (Rolls), I. 276. Here specialis yf y kys [v.r. Ther special whan thei kis].

1432–50.  trans. Higden (Rolls), VI. 449. Hit happede a monke of Seynte Audoen in Roone to goe in a nyȝhte towarde the hows of his specialle.

1473.  Visitation Paper, in Archaeologia, XLVIII. 250. Þe vecar of þe sayde towne has haldyn to hys speciall this vj ȝere and more, and noe correction done.

1554.  Interlude of Youth, C j b. A backe galantes, and loke vnto me, And take me for your speciall.

  † c.  A male sweetheart or lover. Obs.

c. 1400.  Laud Troy Bk., 13552. To vysite him ful offte sche went; For sche wiste he toke the falle Off Troyle that was hir specialle.

1432–50.  trans. Higden (Rolls), VI. 333. After that sche electe into pope … was gete with childe by her specialle.

c. 1489.  Caxton, Blanchardyn, xx. 67. [She] altogydre was of her determyned, to make of Blanchardyn her louer and her specyall.

a. 1500.  Gest Robin Hood, VIII. xxxv. For the loue of a knyght, Syr Roger of Donkesly, That was her owne speciall.

  † 2.  A particular person; an individual. Obs.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 4292. Fals goddes … Þat entrid into ymagis,… Spekand to specyals, þat spede for to aske. Ibid., 12119. All þai sparit þat speciall to spill at þe tyme.

  † 3.  a. A particular point, part, detail, concept or statement. Obs.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 389. Lat us now descende to the special [v.r. purpos special].

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., V. v. 512. This comaundement … is not but a special and a parti of this general and hool comaundement.

1581.  Satir. Poems Reform., xliii. 25. To pen the speciallis it passis mony a hunder.

1594.  T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., II. 162. Reason … descendeth from generalles to specialles, and from them to particulars.

1611.  W. Sclater, Key (1629), 177. Which generall is farther amplified by the specials.

1628.  T. Spencer, Logick, 204. Of the kindes of Distribution, and first of the Generall into the Specialls.

  † b.  A particular thing or article. Obs.

1599.  B. Jonson, Ev. Man out of Hum., II. i[i]. To the perfection of the compliment … are required these three specials.

1615.  in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 168. Those specials which they appropriate to themselves are the sole and main commodities of the Kingdoms now in question.

1621.  Bp. Mountagu, Diatribæ, 467. You must shew some reason why Decimæ were restrayned vnto some specialls, seeing Primitiæ extended themselues vnto all.

  † 4.  Species, kind. Obs.

1551.  T. Wilson, Logike (1580), 54. Beauis with Alexander, are comprehended under man as their kinde and speciall.

1628.  T. Spencer, Logick, 131. The lowest species, is that which cannot be divided into other specialls.

1654.  Z. Coke, Logick, 32. Quality hath four kinds or specials.

  5.  ellipt. A special constable, correspondent, etc.; an advocate at a special fee.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., xxiv. ‘Is the other specials outside, Dubbley?’ inquired Mr. Grummer [the chief constable].

1882.  Pebody, Eng. Journalism, 147. To number among its enterprising band of correspondents the famous special of the Daily News.

1893.  Westm. Gaz., 29 Sept., 1/2. A ‘special’ is an advocate who is not attached to any particular Court, but who will accept any brief with a special fee of 50 guineas marked upon it.

  b.  A special train, examination, prize, etc.

1866.  G. A. Lawrence, Sans Merci, I. xvi. 301. They had been warned at the terminus that a ‘special’ would probably be needed.

1871.  ‘M. Legrand,’ Cambr. Freshm., 298. When the ‘special’ containing the excursion party … entered the station.

1890.  Lancet, 11 Oct., 796/1. What are known as ‘specials’ are being held this week. These are for men who partially failed at the last regular examinations.

1897.  Daily News, 16 June, 9/1. It is laid down that the same dog cannot win more than one of these specials.