Definition of particular

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< parti-colored

particularism >

par·tic·u·lar    (pr-tky-lr, p-tk-) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. Of, belonging to, or associated with a specific person, group, thing, or category; not general or universal: has a particular preference for Chinese art.
2. Separate and distinct from others of the same group, category, or nature: made an exception in this particular case.
3. Worthy of note; exceptional: a piano performance of particular depth and fluidity.
4. 1. Of, relating to, or providing details: gave a particular description of the room.
   2. Attentive to or concerned with details or niceties, often excessively so; meticulous or fussy.
5. Logic Encompassing some but not all of the members of a class or group. Used of a proposition.

NOUN:

1. An individual item, fact, or detail: correct in every particular. See Synonyms at item.
2. An item or detail of information or news. Often used in the plural: The police refused to divulge the particulars of the case.
3. A separate case or an individual thing or instance, especially one that can be distinguished from a larger category or class. Often used in the plural: "What particulars were ambushed behind these generalizations?" (Aldous Huxley).
4. Logic A particular proposition.

IDIOM:
in particular

Particularly; especially.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English particuler, from Old French, from Late Latin particulris, from Latin particula, diminutive of pars, part-, part ; see part