| 释义 |
▪ I. particular, a. and n. (adv.)|pəˈtɪkjʊlə(r)|
Forms: 4–7 partic(u)ler, (5 -ere), 5–6 par-, pertyculer, 6 partycular, 6–7 perticuler, (6 -ar, -ere), 6– particular, (6 Sc. -air, 6–7 -are).
[a. OF. particuler (mod.F. -ier), ad. L. particulār-is, of or concerning a part, partial, particular, f. particula particle: see -ar1; in 16th c. conformed in spelling to the L.]
A. adj.
I.
†1. Belonging to, or affecting, a part, not the whole, of something; partial; not universal. Obs. (exc. as implied in 2).
1387Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 325 Þe þridde particuler flood [orig. tertium diluvium particulare] in Thessalia. 1542Boorde Dyetary xxxvi. (1870) 297 They the whiche haue the Palsye, vnyuersall or pertyculer, must beware of anger. 1625Bacon Ess., Viciss. Things (Arb.) 569 The Three yeares Drought, in the time of Elias, was but Particular, and left People Aliue. 1643Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. i. §22 'Tis ridiculous to put off, or drowne, the generall Flood of Noah, in that particular inundation of Deucalion.
2. a. Pertaining or relating to a single definite thing or person, or set of things or persons, as distinguished from others; of or belonging to some one thing (etc.) and not to any other, or to some and not to all; of one's (its, etc.) own; special; not general.
Often preceded by a poss. pron., as ‘its particular advantages’ = the advantages which it, as distinct from other things, possesses; ‘my particular sentiments’ = sentiments which are my own, not those of some one else.
particular average: see also average n.2 4.
c1386Chaucer Frankl. T. 394 As yonge clerkes..Seken..Particuler sciences for to lerne. ― Clerk's Prol. 35 Or lawe or oother Art particuler. 1465Rolls of Parlt. V. 535/2 To be perceyved..by the handes of the particular Resceyvour of the Lordship of Heigham Feres for the tyme beyng. 1553(title) The xiii. Bukes of Eneados..Translatet..bi..Gawin Douglas..Euery Buke hauing hys perticular Prologe. 1559in Strype Ann. Ref. (1709) I. ii. App. viii. 423 The first byshopps of Rome were particular byshopps of a certein precinct. 1651J. Goodwin Redempt. Red. v, There are conscientious and learned men..who either deny universal or assert particular redemption. 1656Earl of Monmouth tr. Boccalini's Advts. fr. Parnass. i. lv. (1674) 71 We..prohibit..the writing particular Histories of any whatsoever City. 1677Marvell Corr. Wks. 1872–5 II. 554 This was..reported to the House, who..named a particular Committee to that purpose. 1709Steele Tatler No. 83 ⁋1 We live in an Age wherein Vice is very general, and Virtue very particular. 1773Encycl. Brit. I. 506/1 The simple or particular average..consists in the extraordinary expences incurred for the ship alone, or for the merchandizes alone. 1780Burke Let. to W. Watts in Athenæum (1893) 27 May 672/1 These are not my particular Sentiments..they are the unanimous Sentiments of all who are distinguished in this Kingdom, for learning, integrity, and abilities. 1850McCosh Div. Govt. (1852) 176 There have been disputes..in all ages as to whether the providence of God is general or particular. Philosophers, so called, have generally taken the former view, and divines the latter. 1895W. Gow Marine Insurance xii. 208 The repairs of damage of the nature of particular average are confined to what will put the vessel in the same state of efficiency as she was in before the accident which rendered these repairs necessary. 1960Dover & Calver Banker's Guide Marine Insurance of Goods 287 If incurred as a consequence of a peril insured against, particular average is made good by underwriters subject to the conditions of the policy. 1974L. E. Davids Dict. Insurance (ed. 4) 203 Particular average, loss borne by one of a number of carriers in marine insurance, such as partial loss of cargo, hull, or freight, falling entirely on the interest concerned.
†b. Belonging only to (a specified person or thing): proper, peculiar, restricted (to). Obs.
1597Morley Introd. Mus. 179 The light musicke particular to vs in England. c1703Lord Godolphin in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 352 What the Queen has commanded..is not particular to that office, but general to all others. 1725tr. Dupin's Eccl. Hist. 17th C. I. vi. ii. 228 His System upon Original Sin..was particular to him.
c. Logic. Applied to a proposition in which something is predicated of some, not all, of a class of things: opp. to universal.
1551T. Wilson Logike (1580) 27 Whereby euery Proposition is knowne, either to be vniuersall or particular, affirmatiue, or negatiue. 1697tr. Burgersdicius his Logic ii. 27 A, denotes a Universal Affirming..I, a Particular Affirming. Ibid., A Proposition Universal or Particular. 1843Mill Logic i. iv. §4 (1846) 115 A particular proposition is that of which the subject is undistributed. 1860Abp. Thomson Laws Th. §74 (ed. 5) 127 A judgment about part of a conception as ‘Some lakes have an outlet’ is a particular judgment.
d. Particular Baptists: a body of Baptists holding the Calvinistic doctrines of particular election and particular redemption, i.e. the Divine election and redemption of some, not all, of the human race. Opp. to General Baptists.
1717[see baptist 3 b]. 1738T. Crosby Hist. Baptists I. 173 Those that have followed the Calvinistical scheme of doctrines, and from the principal point therein, personal election, have been termed Particular Baptists. 1796Morse Amer. Geog. I. 276 The leading principles of the regular or particular baptists. 1847Particular redemption [see particularism 1]. 1876Besant & Rice Gold. Butterfly (1877) 210 A face which..conveyed the impression of a Particular Baptist who was also in the oil trade.
†3.
a. Belonging to, concerning, or known to an individual person or set of persons and no other; private, personal, not public. Obs.
1456Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 265 Bataill particulere is ay for hid caus that may nocht be kyd opynly. 1459Paston Lett. I. 499 There be many and diverse particuler billes put inne, but noon redde. 1472MS. Reg. N. Cant. Cath. Libr. lf. 236 Youre gramerscole in Canterbury..send your commaundment that noon othir particler scole be kept nygh by. 1563Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 244 Personis without ony particular interest, and voyd of all passioun. 1565Ibid. 414 Untrew and groundit upoun particular malice. 1605Shakes. Lear v. i. 30 For these domesticke and particular broiles, Are not the question heere. 1662J. Davies tr. Mandelslo's Trav. 3 They about the Court..procured me a particular audience. 1703Moxon Mech. Exerc. 240 Houses, both Publick and Particular. 1768Boswell Corsica ii. (ed. 2) 120 Their want of union; which made particular animosities take up their attention.
b. Of persons: Not occupying a public office or position; private. Obs.
1583T. Stocker Civ. Warres Lowe C. iv. 4 b, All the rest of the Nobilitie, Knights, perticuler Gentlemen, and Subjects. 1663Gerbier Counsel a viij, Not onely to particular but to Publique Builders. 1748Anson's Voy. ii. x. 238 Enriching the Jesuits and a few particular persons besides.
†4. particular numbers, the individual components or factors of a number. Obs. rare.
1460J. Capgrave Chron. (Rolls) 3 This noumbir eke of sex is praysed for his particuler noumberes, whech be on, too, thre.
5. particular estate (Law): see quot. 1876. So particular tenant, the tenant of a particular estate.
1628Coke On Litt. 251 b, A particular estate of any thing that lies in grant cannot be forfeited by any grant in fee by deed. 1642Perkin's Prof. Bk. viii. §495. 217 Upon which particular estate the remainder is expectant. 1766Blackstone Comm. II. xviii. 274 Alienations by particular tenants, when they are greater than the law entitles them to make, and devest the remainder or reversion, are also forfeitures to him whose right is attacked thereby. 1876Digby Real Prop. v. §3 (1) 225 Where a tenant in fee simple has created an estate in tail, for life, or for years, he has left in him a present estate, which will come into possession or enjoyment on the expiration or sooner determination of the estate tail, the estate for life, or the estate for years. The smaller estate thus granted is called the ‘particular’ estate.
6. a. That is a unit or definite one among a number; taken or considered by itself, apart from the rest; individual, single, separate.
1529More Dyaloge iv. Wks. (1557) 261/2 Who was there euer that laid vnto another all the perticulere euill dedes of any one other man. 1538Starkey England i. ii. 64 Euery man partycular and also the hole commynalty. 1601Shakes. All's Well i. i. 97 That I should loue a bright particuler starre, And think to wed it. 1602― Ham. i. v. 19 Make..each particular haire to stand an end. 1688R. Holme Armoury iii. 401/2, I shall set down each perticular Letter. 1763J. Brown Poetry & Mus. xii. 207 Particular and well attested Facts are stubborn Things. 1868Freeman Norm. Conq. II. vii. 125 This particular tax was a painful and hateful badge of national disgrace. 1893Liddon, etc. Life Pusey I. xviii. 417 The Ancient Fathers..bring the thought of particular Churches into communion with the thought of the Universal Church, when outwardly united.
†b. Existing by itself apart from others; standing alone; actually separate or distinct; independent.
1547Boorde Brev. Health Pref 3 b, Dylygentlye to consyder yf the syckenes..or impediment, be perticuler by hym selfe, or els that it have any other infirmitie concurrant with it. 1585T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. i. vii. 6 Alger is as it were ordered as a particular common wealth. 1655E. Terry Voy. E. Ind. 78 Thirty and seven several and large Provinces, which antiently were particular Kingdomes.
7. a. Distinguished in some way among others of the kind; more than ordinary; worth notice; marked; special.
1485Caxton Chas. Gt. 195 Al creatures resonable owen to gyue synguler honour & pertyculer loue to hym that hath gyuen to them beyng. 1599B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. v. iii, Particular pains particular thanks do ask. 1622Bacon Hen. VII, Wks. 1879 I. 785/1 Of this prince [Arthur]..there is little particular memory: only..that he was very studious and learned. 1797Monthly Mag. III. 200 The politician takes up the paper..and tells his friend that it contains nothing particular, when he means that it has nothing important. 1838Dickens Nich. Nick. xxxv, He was a sturdy old fellow..with no particular waist. 1861M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 35 To tender particular thanks to Anne..for the felicitous suggestion.
†b. Remarkable, noteworthy; peculiar, singular.
1665Bunyan Holy Citie 27 They were men of a particular and peculiar Spirit. 1713A. Bayne in J. Duncombe Lett. (1773) I. 109 There is something very particular in my story. 1774Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1862) I. vii. viii. 544 The nylghau's manner of fighting is very particular. 1791Boswell Johnson an. 1737, Johnson's mode of penmanship, which at all times was very particular.
†c. Peculiar so as to excite surprise or wonder; singular, strange, odd. Obs.
1712Arbuthnot John Bull iii. iii, Peg..loved anything that was particular..Jack was her man! for he neither thought, spoke, dressed, nor acted like other mortals. 1771Wesley Wks. (1872) V. 322 Do we not many times dispense with religion and reason together, because we would not look particular? c1817Hogg Tales & Sk. V. 75 His gait was very particular: he walked as if he had been flat-soled.
d. In Hymns, used in the names of certain modifications of ordinary iambic metres, viz. common particular metre (8.8.6.8.8.6), long particular metre (8.8.8.8.8.8), short particular metre (6.6.8.6.6.8). Now chiefly U.S.
e. in a particular condition, pregnant. (Cf. interesting ppl. a. 3.)
1922Joyce Ulysses 411 All these little attentions would enable ladies who were in a particular condition to pass the intervening months in a most enjoyable manner.
8. Relating to or concerned with the separate parts, elements, or details of a whole; describing or setting forth something in detail; detailed, minute, circumstantial.
a. Of a narrative, account, etc.
1450Paston Lett. I. 173 The avertisementes of you and my frendz that have more particuler knowlege yn such maters. a1548Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 223 A more playne and perticuler declaracion of the malicious & trayterous intentes of the sayd Elizabeth. 1669Sturmy Mariner's Mag. ii. i. 47 The particular Description of the several Instruments. 1786Jefferson Writ. (1859) I. 536 It is as particular as the four-sheet maps from which it is taken. 1798in Times 28 June 1/4 To be prepared..true and particular Lists, signed by them or their Agents, to be made out in the form prescribed. 1813Jane Austen Let. 26 Oct. (1952) 359 Your Saturday's Letter..was quite as long & as particular as I could expect.
b. Of a person in giving a description or account.
1607B. Jonson Volpone Ded., Where have I been particular? where personal? except to a mimic, cheater [etc.]? 1727Swift What passed in Lond. Wks. 1755 III. i. 179, I think my self obliged to be very particular in this relation, lest my veracity should be suspected. 1803J. Porter Thaddeus i. (1831) 6, I am thus particular in the relation of every incident.
9.
†a. Specially attentive to a person; bestowing marked attentions; familiar in manner or behaviour. Obs.
1610B. Jonson Alch. iv. i, Mam... Sweet madame, le'me be particular— Dol. Particular, sir? I pray you, know your distance. 1694Congreve Double Dealer iii. vi, So unaffected, so easy, so free, so particular, so agreeable. 1749Fielding Tom Jones xi. iv, Never suffer this Fellow to be particular with you again. 1771Smollett Humph. Cl. 31 May, I must tell you, in confidence, he was a little particular; but perhaps I mistake his complaisance; and I wish I may, for his sake.
b. Closely acquainted, familiar, intimate. (Now associated or identified with 7.)
1706Phillips, Particular,..intimate, familiar. a1713T. Ellwood Autobiog. (1714) 3, I became an early and particular Play-fellow to her Daughter Guli. 1779Sheridan Critic ii. ii, These are particular friends of mine. a1817Jane Austen Lady Susan xi. in Mem. (1871) 223 On terms of the most particular friendship. 1848Dickens Dombey i, Paul, my dear, my very particular friend Miss Tox.
10. Attentive to details of action; specially careful; precise, exact, scrupulous; hence, exacting in regard to details, nice in taste, fastidious.
1814Wellington 11 June in Gurw. Desp. (1838) XII. 50, I am very particular about the appointment of my chaplains. 1865H. Kingsley Hillyars & Burtons xxviii, More particular over their rations than any corn-stalk cockatoo. 1879Black Macleod of D. xviii, People who have to work for their living must not be too particular. 1932Punch 2 Nov. 488/1 He was rather particular what he ate and drank. 1933D. C. Peel Life's Enchanted Cup xiv. 176 Mothers who were ‘particular’ used to see to it that their girls went to dances with other girls well known to them.
11. particular integral (Math.):
a. A solution of a differential equation obtained by assigning values to the arbitrary constants of the complete primitive of the equation. Also called particular solution.
1814P. Barlow New Math. & Philos. Dict., Particular Integral, in the Integral Calculus, is that which arises in the integration of any differential equation, by giving a particular value to the arbitrary quantity or quantities that enter into the general integral. 1885A. R. Forsyth Treat. Differential Equations iii. 49 The primitive then consists of two parts: First, the quantity η, which is called the Particular Integral and is any solution whatever (the simpler the better) of the original equation; Second, the quantity Y, which is called the Complementary Function. 1897D. A. Murray Introd. Course Differential Equations i. 6 The solution which contains a number of arbitrary constants equal to the order of the equation, is called the general solution or the complete integral. Solutions obtained therefrom, by giving particular values to the constants, are called particular solutions. 1958G. E. H. Reuter Elem. Differential Equations & Operators i. 5 General solution = particular solution plus complementary function. 1966S. Ross Introd. Ordinary Differential Equations iv. 95 Consider the differential equation d2y / dx2 + y = x... A particular integral is given by yp = x.
†b. A solution of a differential equation which cannot be obtained by assigning values to any or all of the arbitrary constants of the complete primitive; now called singular solution. Obs.
1820G. Peacock Coll. Examples Appl. Differential & Integral Calculus ii. xi. 477 A particular integral of the original equation, involving only one arbitrary function. 1845Encycl. Metrop. II. 23 This value of y satisfies the proposed equation; but as it cannot be derived from the complete integral we have obtained above by assuming a particular value for one of the arbitrary constants, it ought to be considered as a particular integral.
II. Absolute uses.
12. the particular. That which is particular (see the prec. senses); † the individual (obs.).
1551T. Wilson Logike (1580) 73 This argument is from the particular, to the vniuersall. 1632Sir T. Hawkins tr. Mathieu's Unhappy Prosperitie 259 It is the interest both of the particular, and publike, that the wicked perish, and the good prosper. 1635R. Bolton Comf. Affl. Consc. vi. (ed. 2) 36 Thou mightest have been that, either for the kinde, or for the particular.
13. in particular.
a. (Each) by itself, one by one, individually, separately, severally; in detail. ? Obs.
1502Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) i. vi. 49 For to declare what is to be seen of euery artycle in pertyculer. 1611Bible 1 Cor. xii. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular [R.V. severally members thereof]. 1737[S. Berington] G. di Lucca's Mem. (1738) 18 Every Thing in General and Particular, we could think of.
b. As one of a number distinguished from the rest; in distinction from others; particularly, especially. † in more particular (quot. 1628), more particularly (obs.).
1502Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) i. ii. 13 It apperteyneth in particular & in especyal unto the godfaders & godmoders. 1628W. Sclater Three Serm. (1629) Ep. Ded., The other is, your vndeserued fauours towards my selfe in more particular. 1732Wesley Wks. (1830) I. 163, I observing the tears run down the cheeks of one of them in particular. 1859Mrs. Carlyle Lett. III. 16 Ready to swear at ‘things in general’, and some things in particular. 1879J. Payn in 19th Cent. Dec. 994 The Bar, with its high road leading indeed to the woolsack, but with a hundred by-ways leading nowhere in particular.
†c. Privately, in private. Obs.
1585T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. iii. xxii. 112 b, They are waged either publikely, or of som in particular. 1702Eng. Theophrast. 162 Preachers who offering us the kingdom of Heaven in publick, sollicit in particular a small benefice with the utmost importunity.
†14. in the particular. In the particular or special case; with regard to the individual instance: opp. to in the general (see general A. 11 d). Obs.
1639Ld. Digby, etc. Lett. conc. Relig. (1651) 41, I doe not think him more in the wrong in the particular, then I beleeve him right in the generall. 1827Fonblanque Eng. under 7 Administr. (1837) I. 44 Though Mr. Canning was often in the general the avowed enemy of oppression, we never in any one single instance found him so in the particular.
III. 15. Comb.
1767S. Paterson Another Trav. I. 318 Rail at the believer, wrapt up in a particular-fashioned habit.
B. n.
†1. A part, division, or section of a whole; a constituent part or element; spec. a division or ‘head’ of a discourse or argument; in quot. 1494, a part-payment or instalment. ? Obs.
1494Fabyan Chron. vii. 320 For the which..he payed vnto the archebisshop iii. m. marke, and to the other, by partyculers xv. m. marke. 1601R. Johnson Kingd. & Commw. (1603) 36 Let us devide the discourse..into foure particulars. 1630Ibid. 496 The ancient Provinces were divided into three particulars. 1650Weekes Truth's Confl. ii. 54 If you please to minde the first particular in the ii. Verse (For) which is a Rationative Particle. 1660Marquis of Worcester Water-Comm. Engine 14 The Engine consisteth of the following Particulars. 1694Salmon Bate's Dispens. (1713) 168/1 This done, put in the several Particulars into the Liquor. 1859W. Anderson Disc. (1860) 17 In constructing the systematic argument, a ‘particular’, as it is called, will be bestowed on the Divine mercy.
2. a. A minute or subordinate part of a thing, statement, or whole of any kind, considered apart from the rest; a detail, item, point, circumstance.
1533–4Act 25 Hen. VIII, c. 12 As by the particulers therof here after..shalbe expressed. 1555Eden Decades 176 This particular of the mynes of gold, is a thing greatly to bee noted. 1596Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, ii. iv. 414 Examine mee vpon the particulars of my Life. 1622J. Borough in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 130 A private Library..to be sold, and [I] am promised a Catalogue of the particulars. 1683Robinson in Ray's Corr. (1848) 137 The Seseli pratense Monspeliens agrees with our English Meadow Saxifrage in every particular. 1790Paley Horæ Paul. Rom. i. 10 Turn..to the second epistle..and you will discover the particular which remains to be sought for. 1844Ld. Brougham A. Lunel I. iii. 67 Every particular of it remains deeply engraven on my memory.
b. spec. (pl.) Items or details of statement or information; information as to details; a detailed account. In the textile industry, Detailed specifications, subsequently given, as to the manner in which an inclusive or general order or contract is to be carried out.
1606Shakes. Ant. & Cl. i. ii. 57 But how, but how, giue me particulars. 1687A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 74 A French man..told me all the particulars, and the order of it very exactly. 1716Lond. Gaz. No. 5445/3 Particulars of the said Estate may be had. 1830Syd. Smith Mem. & Lett. (1855) II. 305, I have not heard the particulars of Jeffrey becoming Lord Advocate. 1891Daily News 23 Oct. (Bradford), There is an absence of orders, but ‘particulars’ come to hand without delay and keep spinners fully employed. a1901Besant Five Years' Tryst, etc. (1902) 197, I shall be prepared to give you further particulars as to the persons to whom this sum is due.
†3. A statement setting forth the several points or details of a thing or matter; a minute account, description, or enumeration; a minute. Obs.
1600J. Dymmok Ireland (1843) 26 A perticuler of such strengths and fastness of woode and bogge as are in every province of Irelande. 1630R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 521, I have seene a particular of his daily expences. 1693Mem. Cnt. Teckely iii. 82 A loose Sheet..in which they made a Particular of the Cruelties which had been practised against several Persons of Note. 1786Ld. North Let. 6 Jan. in Davey's Catal. (1895) 28, I send you the descriptive Particular of Cudworth corrected according to my last letter from the country and as I believe perfectly accurate.
†4.
a. A single thing among a number, considered by itself; each one of a number or group of things; an individual thing or article. Obs.
1586A. Day Eng. Secretary ii. (1625) 78 Synecdoche, when by one particular we vnderstand a number. 1660Sharrock Vegetables 3 The ways of increasing the particulars of each kinde. 1691Ray Creation ii. (1692) 57 That they [vertebres] should be all perforated in the middle..and each particular have a hole on each side. 1743New Jersey Archives XII. 190 The above Particulars were stolen by one Robert Fryar.
b. An individual person, an individual; sometimes spec. a private person, one not holding a public position. Obs.
1599B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. v. ii, And, for your spectators, you behold them what they are; the most choice particulars in court. 1656Earl of Monmouth tr. Boccalini's Advts. fr. Parnass. ii. vi. (1674) 142 [This] was publickly praised by all, and in private abhorr'd by every particular. 1741Warburton Div. Legat. II. 30 Ahimelech is described without his guards..as a simple particular. 1766Museum Rusticum VI. 75 In the case of a few particulars, who have public spirit, and private ability sufficient to lead them.
5. a. More vaguely: A particular case or instance; an individual thing in relation or contrast to the whole class. (Usually in pl.; opp. to generals or universals.)
c1600Shakes. Sonn. xci, But these perticulers are not my measure, All these I better in one general best. 1651Hobbes Leviath. i. vi. 29 Reasoning is in generall words; but Deliberation for the most part is of Particulars. 1722Wollaston Relig. Nat. iii. 41 We reason about particulars, or from them; but not by them. 1773Ld. Monboddo Language (1774) I. i. i. 5 These conceptions are either of particulars, viz. individual things, or of generals. 1874W. Wallace Hegel's Logic Introd. §13. 18 When the universal is made a mere form and coordinated with the particular, as if it were on the same level, it sinks into a particular itself.
b. Logic. = particular proposition (see A. 2 c).
1551T. Wilson Logike (1580) 24 b. 1553Eden Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.) 9 margin, A perticuler proueth no vniuersall. 1697tr. Burgersdicius his Logic ii. 27 Now Indefinite Propositions are all here taken for Particulars.
†6.
a. (One's) individual case; personal interest or concern; part. Chiefly in phr. for, in, as to, etc. (one's) particular = in (one's) own case, for (one's) own part, as far as (oneself) is concerned. Obs.
1580Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. i. III. 324 Nawyis willing to impeid the publick peax for his particular. 1623Heming & Condell Wks. Shaks. Ep. Ded., Whilst we studie to be thankful in our particular, for the many fauors we haue receiued. 1657W. Rand tr. Gassendi's Life Peiresc ii. 281 This losse..concerns the whole Common-wealth, as much as mine own particular. 1724Warburton Tracts (1789) 12 To return from the common Cause to what concerns our Particular. 1790Cowper Let. to Mrs. King 31 Dec., We have all admired it..and for my own particular, I return you my sincerest thanks.
b. In stronger sense: Personal or private interest, profit, or advantage. Obs.
1597Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. Ded. §9 Such, as doth not propose to itself το ἴδιον our own particular, the partial and immoderate desire whereof poisoneth wheresoever it taketh place. c1610Sir J. Melvil Mem. (1735) 297 Some of the Lords whose Particulars he promised to set forward. 1653in Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 17 If the gentleman had kept all the allowance for his own particular, I should have doubted his affection.
c. Private matter or business. Obs.
c1610Sir J. Melvil Mem. (1735) 66 My Companion told the Emperor, that I had a Particular with his Majesty. 1653in Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 22 Going to England in about a fortnight upon some particulars of his own.
d. Personal relation, close acquaintance, intimacy; personal interest, regard, or favour. rare.
1607Shakes. Cor. v. i. 3 He..Which was sometime his Generall: who loued him In a most deere particular. 1631Weever Anc. Fun. Mon. 797 Out of his particular to their Towne, hee procured of Queene Elizabeth a Charter of Incorporation.
7. colloq. or slang.
a. Something specially belonging to, or characteristic of, a place or person; one's special choice or favourite.
London particular: (a) a special quality of Madeira wine as imported for the London market (? obs.); (b) a humorous name for a London fog.
1807W. Irving Salmag. ii. Acc. Friends, I uncorked a bottle of London particular. 1852Dickens Bleak Ho. iii, This is a London particular... A fog, miss. 1901Scotsman 6 Nov. 10/6 ‘The London particular’, the fog which, four or five years ago, assumed the consistency of peasoup. 1902Farmer Slang, Particular..a special choice: e.g. to ‘ride one's own particular’, ‘a glass of one's particular’, etc.
b. A special friend, a favourite.
1828Craven Gloss. (ed. 2), Particulars, old particulars, very old friends. 1830Gen. P. Thompson Exerc. (1842) I. 285 Except you and your particulars, who are living on the taxes. 1902Farmer Slang, Particular, subs. (old), a favorite mistress: Fr. une particulière.
†C. adv. Particularly, individually. Obs. rare.
1600Nashe Summers last will Wks. (Grosart) VI. 146 Innumerable monstrous practises,..Which t'were too long particuler to recite.
▪ II. † parˈticular, v. Obs. rare.
[f. prec.]
trans. To mention particularly, to particularize.
1605Nottingham Rec. IV. 274 Slanderinge all the Company, but being vrged, would not particuler any thinge. 1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 340 The Text, wherein is only particulared that it was the fruit of a tree good for food and pleasant unto the eye. |