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]