peculiarly

English

Etymology

peculiar + -ly

Pronunciation

  • (file)

Adverb

peculiarly (comparative more peculiarly, superlative most peculiarly)

  1. Such as to be greater than usual; particularly; exceptionally.
    1. (degree) To greater degree than is usual.
      He has a peculiarly strong accent.
      This racehorse is peculiarly fast.
      • 1916, Dewey, John, “Section 14”, in Democracy and Education:
        Democratic society is peculiarly dependent for its maintenance upon the use in forming a course of study of criteria which are broadly human.
      • 1917, Garnett, Constance, transl., “Chapter 18”, in Anna Karenina, part one, translation of Анна Каренина by Leo Tolstoy, published 1877:
        He begged pardon, and was getting into the carriage, but felt he must glance at her once more; not that she was very beautiful, not on account of the elegance and modest grace which were apparent in her whole figure, but because in the expression of her charming face, as she passed close by him, there was something peculiarly caressing and soft.
    2. (manner) In a manner that is greater than usual.
      • 1818, Shelley, Mary, “Chapter 4”, in Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus:
        One of the phenomena which had peculiarly attracted my attention was the structure of the human frame, and, indeed, any animal endued with life.
      • 1913 July 3, Roosevelt, Theodore, Address to the Boys Progressive League:
        I feel that the Progressive Party should appeal peculiarly to the young men--and therefore to the boys--who ought to be the next generation of voters.
  2. Such as to be strange or odd.
    1. (degree) Strangely, oddly.
      His nose is peculiarly bent.
    2. (manner) In a strange or perverse manner; strangely.
      He dresses peculiarly.
    3. (evaluative) Such as to be strange or odd.
      Peculiarly, his hat is on upside-down.
    4. (act-related) Acting in strange or perverse way.
      Peculiarly, he left through the window.
      Peculiarly, he sat bolt upright and shouted "Geronimo!" whenever John Wayne appeared.
  3. Strongly associated with.
    1. (degree, of a place or circumstance) Mostly or solely associated with.
      Having red hair and freckles is a characteristic that is peculiarly Northern European.

Synonyms

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