Special pleading

Special pleading
Special Spe"cial, a. [L. specialis, fr. species a particular sort, kind, or quality: cf. F. sp['e]cial. See {Species}, and cf. {Especial}.] 1. Of or pertaining to a species; constituting a species or sort. [1913 Webster]

A special is called by the schools a ``species''. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster]

2. Particular; peculiar; different from others; extraordinary; uncommon. [1913 Webster]

Our Savior is represented everywhere in Scripture as the special patron of the poor and the afficted. --Atterbury. [1913 Webster]

To this special evil an improvement of style would apply a special redress. --De Quincey. [1913 Webster]

3. Appropriate; designed for a particular purpose, occasion, or person; as, a special act of Parliament or of Congress; a special sermon. [1913 Webster]

4. 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. [1913 Webster]

5. Chief in excellence. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

The king hath drawn The special head of all the land together. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{Special administration} (Law), an administration limited to certain specified effects or acts, or one granted during a particular time or the existence of a special cause, as during a controversy respecting the probate of a will, or the right of administration, etc.

{Special agency}, an agency confined to some particular matter.

{Special bail}, {Bail above}, or {Bail to the action} (Law), sureties who undertake that, if the defendant is convicted, he shall satisfy the plaintiff, or surrender himself into custody. --Tomlins. --Wharton (Law Dict.).

{Special constable}. See under {Constable}. --Bouvier.

{Special damage} (Law), a damage resulting from the act complained of, as a natural, but not the necessary, consequence of it.

{Special demurrer} (Law), a demurrer for some defect of form in the opposite party pleading, in which the cause of demurrer is particularly stated.

{Special deposit}, a deposit made of a specific thing to be kept distinct from others.

{Special homology}. (Biol.) See under {Homology}.

{Special injuction} (Law), an injuction granted on special grounds, arising of the circumstances of the case. --Daniell.

{Special issue} (Law), an issue produced upon a special plea. --Stephen.

{Special jury} (Law), a jury consisting of persons of some particular calling, station, or qualification, which is called upon motion of either party when the cause is supposed to require it; a struck jury.

{Special orders} (Mil.), orders which do not concern, and are not published to, the whole command, such as those relating to the movement of a particular corps, a detail, a temporary camp, etc.

{Special partner}, a limited partner; a partner with a limited or restricted responsibility; -- unknown at common law.

{Special partnership}, a limited or particular partnership; -- a term sometimes applied to a partnership in a particular business, operation, or adventure.

{Special plea in bar} (Law), a plea setting forth particular and new matter, distinguished from the general issue. --Bouvier.

{Special pleader} (Law), originally, a counsel who devoted himself to drawing special counts and pleas; in a wider sense, a lawyer who draws pleadings.

{Special pleading} (Law), the allegation of special or new matter, as distingiushed from a direct denial of matter previously alleged on the side. --Bouvier. The popular denomination of the whole science of pleading. --Stephen. The phrase is sometimes popularly applied to the specious, but unsound, argumentation of one whose aim is victory, and not truth. --Burrill.

{Special property} (Law), a qualified or limited ownership possession, as in wild animals, things found or bailed.

{Special session}, an extraordinary session; a session at an unusual time or for an unusual purpose; as, a special session of Congress or of a legislature.

{Special statute}, or {Special law}, an act of the legislature which has reference to a particular person, place, or interest; a {private law}; -- in distinction from a {general law} or {public law}.

{Special verdict} (Law), a special finding of the facts of the case, leaving to the court the application of the law to them. --Wharton (Law Dict.). [1913 Webster]

Syn: Peculiar; appropriate; specific; dictinctive; particular; exceptional; singular. See {Peculiar}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Special pleading — is a form of spurious argumentation where a position in a dispute introduces favorable details or excludes unfavorable details by alleging a need to apply additional considerations without proper criticism of these considerations themselves.… …   Wikipedia

  • special pleading — n. 1. Law a pleading which is more than a mere denial of the charges or allegations, as one introducing new matter justifying an otherwise culpable act 2. an argument or presentation that leaves out what is unfavorable and develops only what is… …   English World dictionary

  • special pleading — n [U] when someone tries to persuade you to do something by giving you only those facts that support their argument …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • special pleading — noun uncount 1. ) LEGAL the introduction of new evidence in a trial 2. ) an unfair attempt to influence someone in authority to do something that will be of benefit only to you …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • special pleading — ► NOUN ▪ argument in which the speaker deliberately ignores aspects that are unfavourable to their point of view …   English terms dictionary

  • special pleading — N UNCOUNT If someone is using special pleading, they are trying to persuade you to do something by only telling you the facts that support their case. The Secretary of State has already given in to special pleading by interested parties …   English dictionary

  • special pleading — A pleading required for presentation of special matters of defense, that is, matters going beyond a mere denial of plaintiff s allegations. 41 Am J1st Pl § 144. A pleading in excuse or justification; a pleading in confession and avoidance.… …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • special pleading — 1. Law. pleading that alleges special or new matter in avoidance of the allegations made by the opposite side. 2. pleading or arguing that ignores unfavorable features of a case. [1675 85] * * * …   Universalium

  • special pleading — /spɛʃəl ˈplidɪŋ/ (say speshuhl pleeding) noun 1. Law pleading that alleges special or new matter in avoidance of the allegations made by the opposite side. 2. pleading or arguing that ignores unfavourable features of a case …  

  • special pleading — spe′cial plead′ing n. 1) law Law. pleading that avoids allegations against a client by alleging new or special matter 2) law arguing that ignores unfavorable features of a subject • Etymology: 1675–85 …   From formal English to slang

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