sui generis

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin. From suī (“of its own”) + generis, the genitive of genus (“kind”). Literally meaning “of its own kind”.

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /suˑ.i ˈɡɛnɛɹɪs/, /sʊɪ d͡ʒəˈnɛɹɪs/

Adjective

sui generis (not comparable)

1. In a class of its own; one of a kind.

   Anyone who considers the Femmes sui generis has never listened to the Velvets.

   • 1995, How To Do Things With Words, by J.L. Austin

     We see him as he sees himself, surveying the invisible depths of ethical space, with all the distinction of a specialist in the sui generis.

2. (rarer) By itself; of its own.

   It is nothing to worry about sui generis, but in context of the other factors it's alarming indeed.

Synonyms

• (in a class of its own): one of a kind, unique
• (by itself): per se

Translations

in a class of its own

• Dutch: bijzonder (nl)
• Icelandic: sér á báti (is), á ekki sinn líka (is) m

• Turkish: nev-i şahsına münhasır (tr)

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Italian

Etymology

Latin

Adjective

sui generis (invariable)

1. sui generis