Origin and history of specially

specially(adv.)

late 13c., specialli, "of special purpose, for a special reason," from special (adj.) + -ly (2). As "more than others, above and beyond," mid-14c. A doublet of especially.

Special is more common than especial, which has the same meaning; but especially is for rhythmical reasons (because it occurs most frequently at the beginning of a dependent clause, where usually an unaccented particle occurs, and where, therefore, a word with an accent on the first syllable is instinctively avoided) much more common than specially. [Century Dictionary]

also from late 13c.

Entries linking to specially

especially(adv.)

c. 1400, from especial + -ly (2).

special(adj.)

c. 1200, "given or granted in unusual circumstances, exceptional;" also "specific" as opposed to general or common; from Old French special, especial "special, particular, unusual" (12c., Modern French spécial) and directly from Latin specialis "individual, particular" (source also of Spanish especial, Italian speziale), from species "appearance, kind, sort" (see species).

The meaning "marked off from others by some distinguishing quality; dear, favored" is recorded from c. 1300. Also from c. 1300 is the sense of "selected for an important task; specially chosen." It is attested from mid-14c. as "extraordinary, distinguished, having a distinctive character," on the notion of "used for special occasions;" hence "excellent; precious."

From late 14c. as "individual, particular; characteristic." The specific meaning "limited as to function, operation, or purpose" is from 14c., but developed especially in the 19c.; the sense of "in addition to the usual or ordinary" (as in special edition) is by 1840.

Special effects in the Hollywood sense is by 1922, produced in the theater, not the studio:

Many were the well-deserved congratulations received by Mr. Charles Williams regarding the wonderful presentation of "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" at the Futurist, Birmingham. The special effects included rain produced by sprinklers, the noises of the battlefield by the aid of blank maroons and revolver cartridges, and orchestral effects under the guidance of Mr. Alex Cohen which undoubtedly contributed largely to the marked success of the presentation. [The Film Renter & Moving Picture News, Dec. 16, 1922]

Special interest in the U.S. political sense of "group or industry seeking advantages for itself" is from 1910. Special education in reference to teaching those whose learning is impeded by some mental or physical handicap is from 1972. Special pleading is recorded by 1680s, a term that had a sound legal meaning once but now is used generally and imprecisely.

Special pleading. (a) The allegation of special or new matter, as distinguished from a direct denial of matter previously alleged on the other side. ... (c) In popular use, the specious but unsound or unfair argumentation of one whose aim is victory rather than truth. [Century Dictionary]

-ly(2)

common adverbial suffix, forming, from adjectives, adverbs signifying "in a manner denoted by" the adjective; Middle English -li, from Old English -lice, from Proto-Germanic *-liko- (source also of Old Frisian -like, Old Saxon -liko, Dutch -lijk, Old High German -licho, German -lich, Old Norse -liga, Gothic -leiko). See -ly (1). It is cognate with lich, and identical with like (adj.).

Weekley notes as "curious" that Germanic uses a word essentially meaning "body" for the adverbial formation, while Romanic uses one meaning "mind" (as in French constamment from Latin constanti mente). The modern English form emerged in late Middle English, probably from influence of Old Norse -liga.

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