PECULIARLY

inexplicably, curiously, oddly, peculiarly

(adverb) in a manner differing from the usual or expected; “had a curiously husky voice”; “he’s behaving rather peculiarly”

particularly, peculiarly, especially, specially

(adverb) to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common; “he was particularly fussy about spelling”; “a particularly gruesome attack”; “under peculiarly tragic circumstances”; “an especially (or specially) cautious approach to the danger”

peculiarly, particularly

(adverb) uniquely or characteristically; “these peculiarly cinematic elements”; “a peculiarly French phenomenon”; “everyone has a moment in history which belongs particularly to him”- John Knowles

Source: WordNet® 3.1

---

Etymology

Adverb

peculiarly (comparative more peculiarly, superlative most peculiarly)

Such as to be greater than usual; particularly; exceptionally.

(degree) To greater degree than is usual.

(manner) In a manner that is greater than usual.

Such as to be strange or odd.

(degree) Strangely, oddly.

(manner) In a strange or perverse manner; strangely.

(evaluative) Such as to be strange or odd.

Strongly associated with.

(degree, of a place or circumstance) Mostly or solely associated with.

Synonyms

• (in a manner that is greater than usual): in particular, specifically; see also specifically

• (in a strange or perverse manner): oddly, queerly; see also strangely

Source: Wiktionary

---

Pe*cul"iar*ly, adv.

Definition: In a peculiar manner; particulary; in a rare and striking degree; unusually.

PECULIAR

Pe*cul"iar, a. Etym: [L. peculiaris, fr. peculium private property, akin to pecunia money: cf. OF. peculier. See Pecuniary.]

1. One's own; belonging solely or especially to an individual; not possessed by others; of private, personal, or characteristic possession and use; not owned in common or in participation. And purify unto himself a peculiar people. Titus ii. 14. Hymns . . . that Christianity hath peculiar unto itself. Hooker.

2. Particular; individual; special; appropriate. While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat. Milton. My fate is Juno's most peculiar care. Dryden.

3. Unusual; singular; rare; strange; as, the sky had a peculiarappearance.

Syn.

– Peculiar, Special, Especial. Peculiar is from the Roman peculium, which was a thing emphatically and distinctively one's own, and hence was dear. The former sense always belongs to peculiar (as, a peculiar style, peculiar manners, etc.), and usually so much of the latter as to involve feelings of interest; as, peculiar care, watchfulness, satisfaction, etc. Nothing of this kind belongs to special and especial. They mark simply the relation of species to genus, and denote that there is something in this case more than ordinary; as, a special act of Congress; especial pains, etc. Beauty, which, either walking or asleep, Shot forth peculiar graces. Milton. For naught so vile that on the earth doth live, But to the earth some special good doth give. Shak.

Pe*cul"iar, n.

1. That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic. Revenge is . . . the peculiar of Heaven. South.

2. (Eng. Canon Law)

Definition: A particular parish or church which is exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary. Court of Peculiars (Eng. Law), a branch of the Court of Arches having cognizance of the affairs of peculiars. Blackstone.

– Dean of peculiars. See under Dean, 1.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

---