especially
Meaning
Used to single out one person, thing, or situation over all others.
To a great degree; very much.
Structure
Usage
I love all music, especially jazz.
The weather has been especially cold this winter.
This rule applies to everyone, especially new members.
Etymology
The word 'especially' has a layered history, beginning with its core component 'special'. This traces back to the Latin 'species', meaning 'a particular sort or kind'. The prefix 'e-', a form of 'ex-', was added to create the Medieval Latin 'specialis' variant 'especialis', intensifying the meaning to 'out of the ordinary kind'. Finally, the adverbial suffix '-ly', of Germanic origin, was appended in Middle English to form the adverb, solidifying its modern sense of singling something out from the general or treating it with particular significance.
Analysis
- e: A variant of the Latin prefix 'ex-', meaning 'out of, from'. It functions as an intensifier. - special: From Latin 'specialis' (particular, individual), derived from 'species' (appearance, kind). It functions as the core adjective meaning 'particular'. - ly: An Old English adverbial suffix meaning 'in a manner of, to a degree'.