Pe-cū'li-ŭm, n.
Pe-cū'li-ŭm, n. [Lat., lit. property in cattle, hence, as in early times all property consisted of cattle, in general, property, and especially, private property, from pecus, cattle.]
Sense 1. (Rom. Law.) The savings of a son or slave with the father's or master's consent; a little property of stock of one's own; exclusive, private, or separate property. Burrill. Bouvier.
Sense 2. Hence, a special fund for private and personal uses. “A slight peculium only subtracted to supply his snuff-box and tobacco-pouch.” W. Scott.