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PECULIARITY
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Something unusual -- perhaps worthy of collecting
Synonyms:
curio; curiosity; oddity; oddment; peculiarity; rarity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("peculiarity" is a kind of...):
object; physical object (a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "peculiarity"):
bric-a-brac; knickknack; knickknackery; nicknack; whatnot (miscellaneous curios)
collectable; collectible (things considered to be worth collecting (not necessarily valuable or antique))
collector's item; piece de resistance; showpiece (the outstanding item (the prize piece or main exhibit) in a collection)
Derivation:
peculiar (beyond or deviating from the usual or expected)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A distinguishing trait
Synonyms:
distinctiveness; peculiarity; speciality; specialness; specialty
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("peculiarity" is a kind of...):
individualism; individuality; individuation (the quality of being individual)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "peculiarity"):
foible; idiosyncrasy; mannerism (a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual)
Derivation:
peculiar (characteristic of one only; distinctive or special)
Sense 3
Meaning:
An odd or unusual characteristic
Synonyms:
distinctive feature; distinguishing characteristic; peculiarity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("peculiarity" is a kind of...):
characteristic; feature (a prominent attribute or aspect of something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "peculiarity"):
calling card (a distinguishing characteristic or behavior)
Context examples:
It seems to have been a special nest of these vermins, and the slopes were alive with them, all writhing in our direction, for it is a peculiarity of the Jaracaca that he will always attack man at first sight.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
True: no doubt he may appear so to a stranger, but I am so accustomed to his manner, I never think of it; and then, if he has peculiarities of temper, allowance should be made.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
I should not have mentioned the subject, though very anxious to know her sentiments; but I had not been in the room five minutes before she began introducing it with all that openness of heart, and sweet peculiarity of manner, that spirit and ingenuousness which are so much a part of herself.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
My friend had no breakfast himself, for it was one of his peculiarities that in his more intense moments he would permit himself no food, and I have known him presume upon his iron strength until he has fainted from pure inanition.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
There is this peculiarity in criminals. It is so constant, in all countries and at all times, that even police, who know not much from philosophy, come to know it empirically, that it is. That is to be empiric.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
Perhaps it is because I am a slight creature myself, but it is my peculiarity that I had rather look upon a splendid man than upon any work of Nature.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Mr. Woodhouse's peculiarities and fidgetiness were sometimes provoking him to a rational remonstrance or sharp retort equally ill-bestowed.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
I had, therefore, examined the ears in the box with the eyes of an expert and had carefully noted their anatomical peculiarities.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Though I don't know that it's much of a peculiarity, either; for he has been ill-used enough, by some that bear it, to have a mortal antipathy for it, Heaven knows.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
But has he no peculiarities?
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
