late 14c., from Old French especial "pre-eminent, important," from Latin specialis "belonging to a particular kind or species," from species "kind" (see species). Latin words with initial sp-, st-, sc- usually acquired an e- in Old French (see e-). Modern French has restored the word to spécial. In English, originally with the same sense as special (adj.), later restricted to feelings, qualities, etc.
实用例句
1. a matter of especial importance
特别重要的事情
来自《权威词典》
2. The authorities took especial interest in him because of his trade union work.
因为他在工会工作，官方对他特别感兴趣。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The captain looked in recognition, but there was no especial greeting.
上尉看了一眼他,算是打了招呼, 但并没有表示什么特别的欢迎.
来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
4. He was Maybelle Merriwether's especial beau , Rene Picard.
他是梅贝尔-梅里韦瑟的昵友, 名叫雷内-皮卡德.
来自飘（部分）
5. The physics of such soluble particles is of especial relevance to fog and cloud formation.