peculiar

peculiar
\ \ [15] The etymological notion underlying peculiar is of ‘not being shared with others’, of being ‘one’s own alone’. It was borrowed from Latin pecūliārisof private property’, a derivative of pecūliumprivate property’, which in turn was based on pecuscattle’, hence ‘wealth’ (source also of English pecuniary [16]). (A parallel semantic progression from ‘cattle’ to ‘property’ is shown in English fee.) The development of the adjective’s meaning from ‘belonging to oneself alone’ through ‘individual’ to ‘extraordinary, strange’ took place in Latin. Peculatepilfer, embezzle’ [18] also comes ultimately from Latin pecūlium.
\ \ Cf.PECUNIARY

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Peculiar — Pe*cul iar, a. [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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Peculiar — may refer to:* Peculiar (album) , an album by The Slackers* Peculiar , a comic strip, later published as a book, by cartonist Richard Sala* In the Church of England, a Peculiar , (or Peculier) is an extra diocesan place of worship* Peculiar,… …   Wikipedia

  • peculiar — adjetivo 1. (antepuesto / pospuesto) Que es propio, característico o privativo de una persona o cosa: La inseguridad es un rasgo peculiar de mi carácter. Ese trabajo tiene peculiares características. 2. (antepuesto / pospuesto) [Persona o cosa]… …   Diccionario Salamanca de la Lengua Española

  • Peculiar — Pe*cul iar, n. 1. That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic. [1913 Webster] Revenge is . . . the peculiar of Heaven. South. [1913 Webster] 2. (Eng. Canon Law) A particular parish or church which is… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • peculiar — peculiár adj. m., pl. peculiári; f. sg. peculiáră, pl. peculiáre Trimis de siveco, 06.11.2007. Sursa: Dicţionar ortografic  PECULIÁR, Ă adj. De peculiu, referitor la peculiu. [pron. li ar. / …   Dicționar Român

  • Peculiar — Peculiar, MO U.S. city in Missouri Population (2000): 2604 Housing Units (2000): 983 Land area (2000): 3.496290 sq. miles (9.055348 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.046421 sq. miles (0.120231 sq. km) Total area (2000): 3.542711 sq. miles (9.175579 sq …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Peculiar, MO — U.S. city in Missouri Population (2000): 2604 Housing Units (2000): 983 Land area (2000): 3.496290 sq. miles (9.055348 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.046421 sq. miles (0.120231 sq. km) Total area (2000): 3.542711 sq. miles (9.175579 sq. km) FIPS… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • peculiar to — of, relating to, or found in (only one person, thing, or place) a custom peculiar to America [=a custom that is found only in America] • • • Main Entry: ↑peculiar …   Useful english dictionary

  • peculiar — [adj1] characteristic, distinguishing appropriate, diacritic, diagnostic, distinct, distinctive, endemic, exclusive, idiosyncratic, individual, intrinsic, local, particular, personal, private, proper, restricted, special, specific, typical,… …   New thesaurus

  • peculiar — ► ADJECTIVE 1) strange or odd. 2) (peculiar to) belonging exclusively to. 3) formal particular. ► NOUN ▪ a parish or church exempt from the jurisdiction of the diocese in which it lies, and subject to the direct jurisdiction of the monarch or an… …   English terms dictionary

  • peculiar — [pi kyo͞ol′yər] adj. [ME peculier < L peculiaris < peculium: see PECULATE] 1. of only one person, thing, group, country, etc.; distinctive; exclusive 2. particular; unique; special [a matter of peculiar interest] 3. out of the ordinary;… …   English World dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”