especially

• esp., esp

especial +‎ -ly

• IPA^(key): /ɪˈspɛʃ(ə)li/, /əˈspɛʃ(ə)li/, /ɛˈspɛʃ(ə)li/

• Audio (US)

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• (nonstandard, proscribed) IPA^(key): /ɛkˈspɛʃ(ə)li/

especially (comparative more especially, superlative most especially)

1. (manner) In a special manner; specially.
2. (focus) Particularly; to a greater extent than is normal.
   • 1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, New York, N.Y.: Columbia University Press, →ISBN, page viii:

     There is now such an immense "microliterature" on hepatics that, beyond a certain point I have given up trying to integrate (and evaluate) every minor paper published—especially narrowly floristic papers.

3. (focus) Used to place greater emphasis upon someone or something.

   Invite them all, especially Molly.

   • 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, OCLC 639762314, page 0105:

     Captain Edward Carlisle […] felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, […]; he could not tell what this prisoner might do. He cursed the fate which had assigned such a duty, cursed especially that fate which forced a gallant soldier to meet so superb a woman as this under handicap so hard.

   • 1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, New York, N.Y.: Columbia University Press, →ISBN, page viii:

     There is now such an immense "microliterature" on hepatics that, beyond a certain point I have given up trying to integrate (and evaluate) every minor paper published—especially narrowly floristic papers.

• (special manner):
• (particularly): in particular; see also Thesaurus:specifically
• (emphasis): first and foremost; see also Thesaurus:above all

• especial
• special
• specialist
• specialty
• 'specially

• esp