peculiarity

peculiar +‎ -ity

• (General American) IPA^(key): /pɪˌkjuliˈɛɹɪti/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /pɪˌkjuːliˈæɹɪti/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -æɹɪti
• Hyphenation: pe‧cu‧li‧ar‧i‧ty

peculiarity (countable and uncountable, plural peculiarities)

1. The quality or state of being peculiar; individuality; singularity.

   The peculiarity of meeting six people on a usually deserted trail only struck me later on.

   • 2017 November, N. K. Jemisin, Mac Walters, chapter 1, in Mass Effect Andromeda: Initiation‎, 1st edition (Science Fiction), Titan Books, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 9:

     “'There is always a moment when the familiar becomes the strange,'” Cora recited, as she stood looking around at the bustling open docking area of Tamayo Point. “'Look at your own hand and you will eventually notice the variation of textures, the growth of nails and the fade of scars, the peculiarity of having five fingers instead of three.'”

2. That which is peculiar; a special and distinctive characteristic or habit; particularity.
   • 1853, Charlotte Brontë, chapter 4, in Villette:

     I had often heard of Miss Marchmont, and of her peculiarities (she had the character of being very eccentric), but till now had never seen her.

   • 1870, Louisa May Alcott, quoted in 2011, Daniel Shealy, Little Women Abroad: The Alcott Sisters' Letters from Europe, 1870-1871

     I thought Alice and H. J. P. would have fainted at the full spectacle; but we are fast getting used to the little peculiarities of foreigners and I trust they will forgive us many sins in return.

   • 1873, Specifications and Drawings of Patents Issued from the U.S. Patent Office:

     The peculiarity of this invention consists in a means for varying the angle at which the plaiting-blade is held in the plaiter without varying the position of the entire instrument upon the sewing-machine.

3. Exclusive possession or right.