peculiarity

English

Etymology

peculiar + -ity

Noun

peculiarity (countable and uncountable, plural peculiarities)

  1. The quality or state of being peculiar; individuality; singularity.
    The peculiarity of meeting six people on a usually deserted trail only struck me later on.
  2. That which is peculiar; a special and distinctive characteristic or habit; particularity.
    • 1853, Charlotte Brontë, Villette, Chapter 4:
      I had often heard of Miss Marchmont, and of her peculiarities (she had the character of being very eccentric), but till now had never seen her.
    • 1870, Louisa May Alcott, quoted in 2011, Daniel Shealy, Little Women Abroad: The Alcott Sisters' Letters from Europe, 1870-1871
      I thought Alice and H. J. P. would have fainted at the full spectacle; but we are fast getting used to the little peculiarities of foreigners and I trust they will forgive us many sins in return.
    • 1873, Specifications and Drawings of Patents Issued from the U.S. Patent Office
      The peculiarity of this invention consists in a means for varying the angle at which the plaiting-blade is held in the plaiter without varying the position of the entire instrument upon the sewing-machine.
  3. Exclusive possession or right.

Translations

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