particular

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Antonyms 1.3.3 Derived terms 1.3.4 Related terms 1.3.5 Translations 1.3.6 External links 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 See also 2 Spanish 2.1 Adjective

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• (US) IPA: /pɜrˈtɪkjəlɜr/
• SAMPA: /p3r"tIkj@l3r/ (US)
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Etymology

From Anglo-Norman particuler, Middle French particuler, particulier, and their source, Late Latin particularis (“‘partial; separate, individual’”), from Latin particula (“‘(small) part’”). Compare particle.

[edit] Adjective

particular (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) Pertaining only to a part of something; partial.
2. Specific; discrete; concrete.

   I couldn't find the particular model you asked for, but I hope this one will do.

   We knew it was named after John Smith, but nobody knows which particular John Smith.

3. Specialised; characteristic of a specific person or thing.

   I don't appreciate your particular brand of cynicism.

4. (obsolete) Known only to an individual person or group; confidential.
   • 1623, William Shakespeare, King Lear, V.1:

     or these domesticke and particular broiles, Are not the question heere.

5. Distinguished in some way; special (often in negative constructions).

   My five favorite places are, in no particular order, New York, Chicago, Paris, San Fransisco and London.

   I didn't have any particular interest in the book.

6. (comparable) Of a person, concerned with, or attentive to, details; minute; precise; fastidious.

   He is very particular about his food and if it isn't cooked to perfection he will send it back.

[edit] Synonyms

• See also Wikisaurus:fastidious

[edit] Antonyms

• general

[edit] Derived terms

• in particular
• particular average
• particular Church
• particular integral
• particularism
• particularize
• particularly
• particularity

[edit] Related terms

• particulars (certain individuals - not used in singular)

[edit] Translations

[edit] External links

• particular in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

[edit] Noun

particular (plural particulars)

1. (philosophy) A particular thing.
   • 1912, Bertrand Russel, The Problems of Philosophy, Chapter 9:

     When we examine common words, we find that, broadly speaking, proper names stand for particulars, while other substantives, adjectives, prepositions, and verbs stand for universals.

[edit] See also

• universal

---

[edit] Spanish

[edit] Adjective

particular m. and f. (plural particulares)

1. specific, particular
2. personal
3. private