Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (a.) Of or pertaining to a species; constituting a species or sort.

2. (a.) Particular; peculiar; different from others; extraordinary; uncommon.

3. (a.) Appropriate; designed for a particular purpose, occasion, or person; as, a special act of Parliament or of Congress; a special sermon.

4. (a.) Limited in range; confined to a definite field of action, investigation, or discussion; as, a special dictionary of commercial terms; a special branch of study.

5. (a.) Chief in excellence.

6. (n.) A particular.

7. (n.) One appointed for a special service or occasion.