Definition of "peculiarly"

Such as to be greater than usual; particularly; exceptionally.

1. (degree) To greater degree than is usual.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • Democratic society is peculiarly dependent for its maintenance upon the use in forming a course of study of criteria which are broadly human.

     1916, John Dewey, “Section 14”, in Democracy and Education

   • He begged pardon, and was getting into the carriage, but felt he must glance at her once more; not that she was very beautiful, not on account of the elegance and modest grace which were apparent in her whole figure, but because in the expression of her charming face, as she passed close by him, there was something peculiarly caressing and soft.

     1917, “Chapter 18”, in Garnett, Constance, transl., Anna Karenina, part one, translation of Анна Каренина by Leo Tolstoy, published 1877

2. (manner) In a manner that is greater than usual.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • One of the phenomena which had peculiarly attracted my attention was the structure of the human frame, and, indeed, any animal endued with life.

     1818, Mary Shelley, “Chapter 4”, in Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus

   • I feel that the Progressive Party should appeal peculiarly to the young men--and therefore to the boys--who ought to be the next generation of voters.

     1913 July 3, Theodore Roosevelt, Address to the Boys Progressive League

Such as to be strange or odd.

1. (degree) Strangely, oddly.  examples

2. (manner) In a strange or perverse manner; strangely.  examples

3. (evaluative) Such as to be strange or odd.  examples

4. (act-related) Acting in strange or perverse way.  examples

Strongly associated with; in a manner that is peculiar or restricted to some person or place.

1. (degree, of a place or circumstance) Mostly or solely associated with.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • She was carried home quite exhausted; the only sign she gave of consciousness was, that when they were about to take her to the room which had formerly been her own, she raised her head, and feebly insisted on being taken to her uncle's. Every thing there was peculiarly his, and there she had gazed, for the last time, on his inanimate features; in that room she could call up his image more distinctly than elsewhere.

     1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “The Last Night with the Dead”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], page 317

   • This is one of the methods of procedure. The other is through man to God. The second is peculiarly Aryan, and the first is peculiarly Semitic.

     1907, Swami Vivekananda, “The Methods and Purpose of Religion”, in The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, volume 6

   • However, he already gave strong indication of the peculiarly Russian genius for naturalness or realism, and was a true Russian in his simplicity of style.

     1917, “Introduction”, in Seltzer, Thomas, transl., Best Russian Short Stories

   • This does not take into account the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who are harmlessly and charmingly insane in a peculiarly Manhattanite manner.

     1946, George Johnston, Skyscrapers in the Mist, page 52