Peculiar

(pe-kül′yar) (Synop., § 130), a. [Lat. peculiaris, from peculium, private property; It. peculiare, Sp. peculiar, O. Fr. pécülier. See PECULIUM.] 1. Belonging solely or especially to an individual; not possessed by others; of private, personal, or characteristic possession and use; not general; appropriate. My fate is Juno's most peculiar care. Dryden. 2. Particular; individual; special. And the chill marble seems to sweat, While each peculiar power foregoes his wonted seat. Milton. 3. Unusual; singular; rare and striking. [Rare.] So much for my peculiar care. Shak. Syn. — PECULIAR, SPECIAL, ESPECIAL. Peculiar is from the Roman peculium, which was a thing emphatically and distinctively one's own, and hence was dear. The former sense always belongs to peculiar; as, a peculiar style, peculiar manners, &c.; and usually so much of the latter as to involve feelings of interest; as, peculiar care, watchfulness, satisfaction, &c. Nothing of this kind belongs to special and especial. They mark simply the relation of species to genus, and denote that there is something in this case more than ordinary; as, a special act of Congress; especial pains, &c. And beheld Beauty, which, either waking or asleep, Shot forth peculiar graces. Milton. The gods still listened to their constant prayer, And made the poets their peculiar care. Pitt. Naught so vile that on the earth doth live, But to the earth some special good doth give. Shak.