specialityn.
/ˌspɛʃɪˈalᵻti/, U.S. /ˌspɛʃiˈælədi/ 1. A special, particular, or individual point, matter, or item. Frequently in plural: particulars, details. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [noun] > quality of being specific or detailed > a detail or particular
circumstances?c1225
parcela1325
partya1393
specialc1405
particular?a1425
partc1425
specialityc1443
specialty1449
especialityc1460
particularity1528
respect1533
severals1606
especial1633
particularment1642
retail1644
instance1649
circumstantiality1854
c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 404 We schulen be more feruently and quycly moued to desire and aske, if we aske boonys in her dyuersite specialitees, þan if we aske hem alle to gidere vndir oon generalite.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 27 Till hit be commen to Breteyne the last prouince, as vn to a specialite moste specialle [L. ad speciem specialissimam] for whom his present storye was made.
1513 King Henry VIII in J. O. Halliwell Lett. Kings Eng. (1846) I. 216 (modernized text) After rehearsal..of many..injuries, griefs, and damages..the specialities whereof were superfluous to rehearse.
1560 Inchaffray Charters (S.H.S.) 167 Providing that the specialite heirin expremit mak nocht dirogatioun to the generalite.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Apol. Poetrie (1595) sig. D1v The generalities that contayneth it, and the specialities that are deriued from it.
1604 C. Edmondes Observ. Cæsars Comm. II. vii. Introd. 47 This last Commentarie containeth the specialities of the warre which Cæsar made against all the States of Gallia.
1624 R. Montagu in J. Cosin Corr. 26 Dec. (1872) I. xxiii. 37 These speciallityes I desire, if the thing be printed, may be left out.
1719 D. Waterland Vindic. Christ's Divinity xxi. 323 The περιχωρησις and interior Generation, are two specialities taught by the Catholicks.
1766 J. Burton Serm. Publick Occas. 362* They should compare these several predictions thoughout [sic] the specialities of minute circumstances.
1865 J. S. Mill Auguste Comte 159 A practical position..chains the mind to specialities and details.
1867 J. Ruskin Time & Tide (1872) 5 Yonder sad letter warped me away from the broad inquiry, to this speciality, respecting the present distress of the middle classes.
1994 K. V. Sarma in P. S. Filliozat et al. Pandit N. R. Bhatt: Felicitation Vol. 172 The specialities relating to the ‘text’ like its source, any further detail about the author, etc. should be entered first.
2. † b. With reference to language: technical usage. Obsolete. rare.
a. The quality of being special, limited, or restricted in some respect (occasionally implying particularity of application or treatment). Now somewhat rare.Recorded earliest in in speciality at Phrases 1. †but speciality: without partiality or favour (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > rightness or justice > [phrase] > impartially
but specialityc1485
without fear or favour1890
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > [noun]
specialityc1485
specialness1530
specialty1532
specialty1598
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > specifically [phrase] > in detail
from point to pointa1393
in speciala1398
specialityc1485
in particularity1559
in piecemeal1561
in (the) detail1603
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 1 The ferde [part shall be] of bataillis jn specialitee.
1493 in Rec. Parl. Scotl. to 1707 (2007) A1493/5/9 A competent juge quhilk sall minister justice to all parteis but specialitie.
1566 A. Rush President for Prince sig. M.jv Appointing vnto them by a generalitye of facte, comely ryghtes: but in specialitie of circumstance leauyng them indifferent.
1576 A. Fleming tr. J. Caius Of Eng. Dogges 5 Of a singuler specialitie they deserued to bee called..bloudhounds.
1617 J. Ussher Let. in R. Parr Life J. Usher (1686) Coll. xxii. 48 Neither doth the speciality of the one any ways abridge the generality of the other.
1619 W. Sclater Expos. 2 Thess. (1629) 304 Distinguish ye twixt speciality of loue, and partiality.
1657 J. Sergeant Schism Dispach't 137 This Particularity then, and speciality of schismatical guilt,..makes a man in a..more special manner faulty.
1768 A. Moir Indictment 96 The particulars of a charge..admit either of speciality or particularity.
1829 I. Taylor Nat. Hist. Enthusiasm v. 109 With a completeness and speciality of coincidence.
1847 G. Grote Hist. Greece III. ii. xi. 181 Some of them are mere general and vague directions, while others again run into the extreme of speciality.
1872 J. G. Murphy Crit. Comm. Leviticus (vi. 12–16) 88 In the general ordinances..it would have been out of place because of its speciality.
1968 Jrnl. Mod. Hist. 40 448 Those of us who insist upon the contingency of history's events and the speciality of its lessons [etc.].
1999 R. Smith in M. McQuillan et al. Post-theory x. 173 For the subject, this movement backwards involves..its dissolution or rather its generalisation, the cessation of respect for its speciality.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > a language > register > [noun] > jargon
language1502
term of art1570
fustiana1593
jargoning1623
jargon1651
speciality1657
lingo1659
cant1684
linguaa1734
patois1790
slang1801
shibboleth1829
glim-glibber1844
argot1860
gammy1864
patter1875
stagese1876
vernacular1876
palaver1909
babble1930
buzzword1946
in word1964
rabbit1976
1657 P. Heylyn Ecclesia Vindicata 105 The word so used..became in fine a word of Art or speciality, amongst the writers of the new [Testament].
3. Law.† b. A special arrest warrant. Also: the officer charged with executing such a warrant. Obsolete. rare.
a. = specialty n. 5.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal obligation > contract > [noun] > written contract or text of > special
specialtyc1436
especialty1576
speciality1607
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter sig. Vv4/1 Kitchin..saith, that nude mater is not of so high nature, as either a mater of Record or a speciality.
1681 Brasenose Coll. Doc. M2 56 Leases, Chattells and Specialities wherein I have any estate.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I Speciality, in Law, is most commonly taken for a Bond, or Bill, or such like Instrument.
1778 Remembrancer 5 497/2 Several persons..pretend, on tender of the money, that they are not possessed of such notes or specialities.
1811 G. Woods Acct. Past & Present State Isle of Man ii. v. 266 A creditor, or his agent, in order to procure an arrest, must produce his speciality, if he has any.
1849 Rev. Statutes Wisconsin ciii. 555 The debts of such person, arising by simple contract or by speciality.
1910 Clothier & Furnisher (N.Y.) Oct. 82/1 A contract which is made under seal is known in law as a ‘speciality’.
2001 S. Allinson Practice Notes Debt Recovery (ed. 3) viii. 71 The most important exemptions are now..any money, banknotes, bills of exchange, promissory notes, bonds, specialities or securities for money.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [noun] > warrant > types of warrant
searchery1541
letter (also commission, gift) of searchery1566
reprieve1602
bench warrant1680
death warrant1692
fastener1699
search warrant1700
lettre de cachet1715
capital commitment1742
peace warrant1772
speciality1815
fugie-warrant1816
arrest warrant1824
society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > an officer of the court > [noun] > official who executes orders of court > bailiff
beadlec1000
ridemanlOE
cacherela1325
outrider1332
bailiff1377
catchpolea1382
bailiec1386
officer?1387
sheriff's manc1400
attacher1440
messenger1482
tipped staffc1500
servitor1527
bailie-errant1528
processar1534
bum-bailiff1560
tipstaff1570
nut-hook1600
saffo1607
servera1612
bailiff-errant1612
bum-bailey1615
process servera1616
buckle-bosom1622
bumbee1653
exploiter1653
moar1656
bum1659
bummer1675
bumbail1696
bulldog1699
sheriff's officer1703
bum-trap1749
bound-bailiff1768
shelly-coata1774
body snatcher1778
lurcher1785
fool-finder1796
messenger1801
bugaboo1809
borough-bailiff1812
sheriff mair1812
speciality1815
grab1823
legalist1835
candy man1863
writter1882
sheriff1928
1815 Gen. Advertiser (Limerick) 24 Jan. James O'Sullivan,..with a Speciality from the Sheriff, proceeded to his estate... Mr. H., having fired in through a window at the Speciality and those inside, they quickly returned the fire.
4.
a. A special or distinctive quality, property, characteristic, or feature; a peculiarity. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > [noun] > a characteristic
privilegec1225
distinctionc1374
propertyc1390
tachea1400
pointa1425
specialty?a1425
difference?c1425
conditionc1460
markc1522
touch1528
specialty1532
differentia1551
character?1569
formality1570
particularity1585
peculiar1589
accent1591
appropriation1600
characterism1603
peculiarity1606
resemblance1622
propera1626
speciality1625
specificationa1631
appropriament1633
characteristic1646
discrimination1646
diagnostic1651
characteristical1660
stroke1666
talent1670
physiognomya1680
oddity1713
distinctive1816
spécialité1836
trait1864
flavour1866
middle name1905
discriminant1920
discriminator1943
1625 S. Purchas Pilgrimes II. viii. xiii. 1380 (margin) The specialities of Horeb.
1690 G. Mackenzie Reason i. 20 The Anatomy, Specialities, and Natures of Fishes, Fowls, Flies, and other Insects.
1726 A. Monro Anat. Humane Bones App. 341 The Causes of the Specialities of the female Bones, may be reduced to these three.
1794 J. Hutton Diss. Philos. Light 182 But, there must be specialities in the case,..and, these specialities may form a proper subject for investigation.
1844 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit lii. 605 Think of this, Sir,..apart from the specialities..of prejudice.
1868 Visct. Strangford Sel. Writings (1869) II. 259 The Doctor's Khivan Mollah..will be but an uncertain guide to the specialities of Yarkandi Turkish.
1881 Nature No. 627. 4 There is a wonderful similarity between all the chief tribes.., though there are many specialities in habits.
1910 Geogr. Jrnl. 35 183 Never have the idiosyncrasies of a strange people with the specialities of their most interesting form of architecture been so judiciously treated.
b. With the: the distinctive quality, property, characteristic, or feature of a particular thing or class. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1864 A. Bain Senses & Intellect (ed. 2) i. ii. 242 The speciality of the pleasures of light is their endurableness.
1869 J. S. Mill in J. Mill Anal. Human Mind (new ed.) II. xiv. 40 (note) The special nature of that group or series..constitutes the speciality of the relation predicated.
1882 F. P. Cobbe Peak in Darien 32 It is the speciality of all vice to be selfishly indifferent to the injurious consequences of our actions.
1918 Musical Times Jan. 28/2 The speciality of the singing is the ‘oneness’ of its beautiful quality of tone.
5.
a. A special aptitude, skill, occupation, or line of business; a particular activity or interest to which one devotes oneself; = specialty n. 8a.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession > line of business or work > special
speciality1834
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > a skill > special
speciality1834
meat1922
thing1936
wheelhouse1987
1834 Morning Chron. 25 Oct. 1/6 His adversaries accuse him of neglecting his speciality—that is to say, the finances.
1867 J. Ruskin Time & Tide i. §3 Every nation is fitted..for some particular employments or manufactures; and..it is the true interest of every other nation to encourage it in such speciality.
1879 M. E. Braddon Cloven Foot III. xiv. 263 It was made by a man who had a speciality for these things.
1886 C. E. Pascoe London of To-day (ed. 3) xxxix. 331 This gentleman's speciality [as a bookseller] lies in the department of theology.
1892 Photogr. Ann. II. 705 Who make a speciality of publishing maps prepared for cyclists.
1907 M. Rollins Money & Investm. 218 Express companies have made a speciality of issuing ‘travellers' cheques’.
1974 Valley News (Van Nuys, Calif.) 14 Mar. 58/1 His [sc. a detective's] speciality is auto thieves and burglars.
2003 Jrnl. Contemp. Hist. 38 449 Sybil Bauer..was not allowed to compete against the men in the backstroke but dominated the women's contests in her speciality.
b. A special subject of study or research; the branch of scholarly, scientific, or professional work in which one is a specialist; spec. the branch of medicine or surgery in which a physician practices; = specialty n. 8b.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > learning > study > [noun] > specialized study
speciality1839
specialism1846
particularism1872
society > education > learning > study > subject or object of study > [noun] > a specialty
speciality1839
specialism1850
specialty1853
subspeciality1855
subspecialty1873
1839 Med. Examiner 1 June 343/1 A professor may fairly be supposed capable of working out a lecture on his speciality, after a day's preparation.
1858 C. Kingsley My Winter-garden in Misc. (1860) I. 140 Even men of boundless knowledge..must have had once their speciality, their pet subject.
1867 J. L. Patterson in H. E. Manning Ess. Relig. & Lit. 2nd Ser. 491 Let us..suppose the writer in question to have a speciality; let us suppose him to be a Catholic theological writer.
1880 J. W. Sherer Conjuror's Daughter 111 Mr. Cowley..was acquainted with most of the sciences, but his speciality was Entomology.
1914 Items of Interest July 429 The practice of oral prophylaxis and periodontia as an exclusive speciality may be encouraged.
1966 Lancet 24 Dec. 1400/1 A speciality like neuro-surgery requires an extra year's training.
2009 Jrnl. Med. Ethics 35 662/1 Infertility treatment is a speciality that has attracted considerable attention.
c. A product or service, esp. an item of food, specially characteristic of, or produced or sold by, a particular person, firm, place, etc.; = specialty n. 8c.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > merchandise > [noun] > characteristic goods
makea1690
speciality1854
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > [noun] > a characteristic > of a particular area
locality1802
localism1823
provincialism1845
speciality1854
1854 Househ. Words 9 Sept. 77/1 The delicate lemon—the speciality of Verrey's high-class saloons.
1863 C. Dickens Let. 4 Feb. (1998) X. 209 The romantic drama..is the speciality of your theatre.
1863 Sir W. Holmes Rep. in W. T. Veness El Dorado (1866) App. 158 Indeed, rum seems a sort of ‘speciality’ of that island [sc. Jamaica].
1892 Photogr. Ann. II. 529 The Optical Lantern trade is somewhat different to photography as regards specialities. In the main, most dealers content themselves with selling goods that are not specially their own.
1924 Southward's Mod. Printing (ed. 5) I. Job Design Suppl. 2 (following p. 336) Fine book and job printing a speciality.
1936 Discovery Apr. 110/1 A speciality of Finland which everyone who visits the country ought to try is the Sauna.
1982 J. Midgley Stone Killer iii. 23 They dined on the restaurant speciality, Sicilian-style macaroni.
2005 R. Douglas Night Song Last Tram 64 We sat down for our dinner; one of Ma's specialities—mince and doughballs.
6. Biology. A specialized feature of form or function; = specialization n. 2b.In quot. 1880: = specialization n. 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > evolution > [noun] > specialization
speciality1835
specialization1837
the world > life > biology > biological processes > evolution > [noun] > adaptation
speciality1835
adaptation1875
maladaptation1877
1835–6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. I. 270/1 With this speciality the young are hatched in a condition which renders the cooperation of both parents for their support unnecessary.
1880 A. R. Wallace Island Life 323 Cause of Great Speciality in Fishes.
1964 J. R. Raper & K. Esser in J. Brachet & A. E. Mirsky Cell VI. iii. 174 Because of the physiological specialities, the fungi achieve biological as well as economic importance.
2010 N. Horsky My Dog is Blind iii. 16/1 Another anatomical speciality which is helpful when hunting is the dog's wide range of vision.
7. A thing or article of a special kind, as distinguished from what is usual or common; an unusual or distinctive item.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > [noun] > a special thing
special1851
speciality1864
speshul1979
1864 Sci. Amer. 12 Mar. 162/1 The business of plumbers' supplies has increased so much of late that..Messrs. Dalton & Ingersoll..are now engaged entirely in these specialities.
1867 H. Latham Black & White 84 One is for the routine cooking, which is always the same; the other is for the preparation of the specialities of each day's diet.
1880 L. S. Floyer Plain Hints Examiners Needlework 13 Where special materials are insisted on, specimens of these specialities should be at hand for reference.
1908 Jrnl. Royal Asiatic Soc. Oct. 1029 We may take account also of a few specialities, such as materials for an edition of the Damayantīkāvya or Nalacampū.
1947 Musical Times July 237/1 Programmes..stand for a thorough-going education in standard orchestral music, with a few specialities by way of variety.
1999 D. H. Pybus & C. S. Sell Chem. of Fragrances iv. 53 Expensive specialities..are produced in kilogramme rather than tonne quantities.
Phrases
a. In detail. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 1 The ferde [part shall be] of bataillis jn specialitee.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 92 Here he spekis of armes, and baneris jn specialitee.
1583 J. Colville Orig. Lett. (1858) 22 Quhen matteris beis proponit in specialite, let thame be resavit in sic sort as that my Maister hais nocht caus to find falt wyth ws.
1615 E. Weston Triall Christian Truth: 2nd Pt. iv. 20 When philosophie hath gathered a generalitie of ordinance in man to operation, it after commeth neare vnto his nature, and deciphereth forthe in specialitie what forme of endeuor properly belongeth vnto him.
b. Especially, particularly; = with specialty at specialty n. Phrases 1. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > especially or particularly [phrase]
hure and hurea1175
in special1389
in especialc1390
in speciallyc1450
with (also by, in, of) specialtyc1450
in particular1502
in speciality1543
in peculiar1607
of (also with) a specialty1686
1543 ( Chron. J. Hardyng (1812) 366 (MED) Syr Robert Vmfreuile..brought his fiers brennyng vpon the sea, In botes and cogges..with men of armes in propertee, And archers good, well pauyshed, in specialitee.
1592 H. Wotton Let. 8 May in Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1685) 661 In speciality are suspected both the Colonna's, the Cardinal of Arragon, Santasevenna, [etc.].
1867 J. Ruskin Time & Tide v. §23 There were, in speciality, two thoroughly good pantomime actors.
P2.
speciality of the house n. [after French spécialité de la maison spécialité de la maison n.] a speciality of an establishment, spec. a dish or type of food which a restaurant considers its speciality or one for which it is particularly noted; = specialty of the house n. at specialty n. Phrases 2.
ΚΠ
1860 Fraser's Mag. Sept. 400/1 Speculators on the Bourse breakfasted at the Café Hardi, the specialité of the house being rognons à la brochette.]
1864 G. L. M. Strauss et al. England's Workshops 164 We now come to the products which are the specialities of the house—the iodine and bromine preparations.
1880 Judy 24 Mar. 135/1 An excellent menu was provided, consisting—besides the speciality of the house—of soup Judienne, and Rossbif.
1955 Monroe (Louisiana) News-Star 24 Feb. 4 a Peg-top trousers are a speciality of the house.
1977 T. Heald Just Desserts i. 16 Bognor chose..a speciality of the house called Pollo Sophia Loren.
2001 Observer 16 Dec. (Life Suppl.) 65/2 From the main courses, we chose a speciality of the house: seafood ju-ban yaki.
Compounds
C1.
speciality chemical n. a chemical manufactured in relatively small quantities for specialist purposes.
ΚΠ
1934 Chem. Age 31 140/2 The introduction of new dyes and speciality chemicals.
1995 Chem. in Brit. Nov. 861/4 The third leg of Merck's activities is in speciality chemicals.
2010 M. Lancaster Green Chem. (ed. 2) vi. 219 The use of renewable resources for manufacturing specific performance and speciality chemicals..is growing.
C2. attributive.
a. Business. Designating a product or service sold to meet specialized tastes or needs, typically produced by a particular firm or in a particular region, and available at a limited range of outlets; designating a producer or retailer of such items.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > [adjective]
speciala1387
especialc1400
principal1417
peculiarc1449
extraordinaryc1460
enspeciala1533
individual1646
different1856
speciality1879
speshul1900
1879 Commerc. No. 6: Rep. Manuf., Commerce Consular Districts: Pt. I 38 in Parl. Papers 1878–9 (C. 2232) LXX. 1 Quantities of cigars and tobacco sold at the ‘speciality’ shops.
1930 E. Ferber Cimarron xxiii. 373 Fascinating little speciality shops..just like those..on Madison Avenue.
1938 New Statesman 21 May 863/2 ‘Speciality selling’..is the last refuge of the man who is ‘on his back’.
1947 J. H. Collins in P. I. Smith Pract. Plastics v. 63 (caption) Methyl methacrylate is also a speciality moulding material.
1959 Times 9 Mar. (Britain's Food Suppl.) p. xiv/4 Dishes produced in the speciality restaurant often surpass..those of establishments that attempt to run the full range.
1967 Times Rev. Industry Feb. 31/1 The newly-created group was thus firmly based in three different markets—household and pharmaceutical products and speciality foods.
1979 N. Freeling Widow iii. 10 A gigantic supermarket, with a covered gallery of speciality shops all around.
2011 Independent 19 Feb. (Mag.) 9/2 The modern popularity of ‘speciality’ teas.
b. Theatre. Designating a performer or performance, esp. in variety entertainments, of an unusual or specialized character.Speciality acts often involve a display of physical dexterity, such as juggling or dancing, or require another specialized skill, such as impersonation or ventriloquism.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > [adjective] > types of item
speciality1873
showstopping1917
thigh-slapping1932
supporting1947
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > performer > [adjective] > type of performer
useful1740
supporting1863
speciality1873
quick change1882
featured1897
non-speaking1959
bankable1964
off-Broadway1971
1873 Cleveland (Ohio) Morning Daily Herald 6 June (advt.) We have more Speciality Artists, more variety of Stars, more attractions.
1933 P. Godfrey Back-stage xv. 187 A few speciality solo steps.
1952 W. Granville Dict. Theatr. Terms 166 Speciality artiste, a vaudeville artiste who specializes in impersonations, juggling, etc.
1967 Stage 2 Mar. 21/4 (advt.) Wanted for long summer season speciality act, strong male vocal..and two girl dancers.
1970 W. J. Burley To kill Cat iii. 58 We had a cabaret artiste of that name... She was a speciality dancer and her art possessed great artistic merit.
2003 Guardian (Nexis) 2 Aug. (Home section) 3 A woman, or a speciality act maybe, will always be sandwiched between two guys.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.c1443