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PECULIAR
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Characteristic of one only; distinctive or special
Example:
the peculiar character of the Government of the U.S.
Classified under:
Similar:
characteristic (typical or distinctive)
Derivation:
peculiarity (a distinguishing trait)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Markedly different from the usual
Example:
a man...feels it a peculiar insult to be taunted with cowardice by a woman
Classified under:
Similar:
unusual (not usual or common or ordinary)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
Example:
singular behavior
Synonyms:
curious; funny; odd; peculiar; queer; rum; rummy; singular
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
strange; unusual (being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird)
Derivation:
peculiarity (something unusual -- perhaps worthy of collecting)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Unique or specific to a person or thing or category
Example:
my own special chair
Synonyms:
particular; peculiar; special
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
specific ((sometimes followed by 'to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique)
Context examples:
“That is for us to find out,” said Sherlock Holmes with peculiar gravity.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Yes, but I have a peculiar taste in these matters.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Mary had no feelings to make her respect her sister's in a common way, but she was perfectly unsuspicious of being inflicting any peculiar wound.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
She seemed to propose shewing no agitation, or disappointment, or peculiar concern in the discovery.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
That his judgment submitted to all his own peculiar and bitter share of this family affliction, but that it was too keenly felt to be a subject of the slightest communication.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
But of his minuter propensities, as you call them you have from peculiar circumstances been kept more ignorant than myself.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
Lady Catherine hesitated for a moment, and then replied: The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
The peculiar knowledge of the pilot and captain sufficed for many thousands of people who knew no more of the sea and navigation than I knew.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
The peculiar nature of 2004 EW95 first came to light during routine observations with the NASA / ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
(Exiled Asteroid Discovered in Outer Reaches of Solar System, ESO)
You can roast it by the fire, since your tastes are so peculiar that you prefer cooked food, and then you will have a very good breakfast.
(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)
