particular
UK[pəˈtɪkjʊlə]US[pərˈtɪkjələr]
adj
used to single out an individual member of a specified group or class
adj
especially great or intense
adj
insisting that something should be correct or suitable in every detail; fastidious
n
a detail
Morpheme Breakdown
parti
cular
parti
part
cular
adjective-forming suffix
Etymology
The word 'particular' originates from the Late Latin 'particularis', meaning 'concerning a small part'. This derives from Latin 'particula', a diminutive of 'pars' (part), which itself traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root pere- meaning 'to grant, allot'. The core semantic journey is from the concept of a small, allotted piece to the idea of something distinct and separate from the whole. Over time, 'particular' evolved from meaning 'pertaining to a single part' to emphasizing specificity, individuality, and minute attention to detail, reflecting a focus on the distinct characteristics of that single part.
Analysis
Structure: parti (part) + cular (adjective-forming suffix)
parti (from Latin 'particula', a small part, a particle) + cular (from Latin suffix '-cularis', meaning 'pertaining to' or 'characterized by')
Examples
She didn't feel well on that particular day.
He is very particular about the cleanliness of his car.
The contract must be correct in every particular.