[pɪˈkjuːlɪə], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- different to what is normal or expected; strange
(e.g: he gave her some very peculiar looks)

- particular; special
(e.g: any attempt to explicate the theme is bound to run into peculiar difficulties)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘particular’): from Latin peculiaris ‘of private property’, from peculium ‘property’, from pecu ‘cattle’ (cattle being private property). The sense ‘strange’ dates from the early 17th century

[pɪˈkjuːlɪə], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a parish or church exempt from the jurisdiction of the diocese in which it lies, and subject to the direct jurisdiction of the monarch or an archbishop
(e.g: deans and canons of royal peculiars, notably Westminster Abbey and Windsor)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘particular’): from Latin peculiaris ‘of private property’, from peculium ‘property’, from pecu ‘cattle’ (cattle being private property). The sense ‘strange’ dates from the early 17th century