subs. (old).—1. A paramour, male or female: cf. PARTICULAR.
c. 1350. The Tale of the Basyn [HAZLITT, Remains of the Early Popular Poetry of England, III. 52], xxiii. The wenche was his SPECIALL.
1440. Promptorium Parvulorum, 468. SPECYAL, concubyne, the womann (SPECIALL or leman). Concubina.
[?]. A Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode [CHILDE, Ballads, v. 123].
| Syr Roger of Donkester, | |
| That was her owne SPECIALL. |
2. (colloquial).—By ellipsis a particular person or thing: e.g., a SPECIAL train, SPECIAL Scotch, a SPECIAL constable, a SPECIAL edition, &c.
1890. The Lancet, 11 Oct., 796. What are known as ‘SPECIALS’ are being held this week. These are for men who partially failed at the last regular examinations.
1897. MARSHALL, Pomes, 16. But Rosette for a potman’s regard didn’t care; She preferred her swell SPECIALS.
