peculiar
UK: pɪˈkjuːliə | US: pɪˈkjuːliər
adj. strange or unusual; different from what is normal or expected
adj. belonging exclusively to a particular person, place, or thing; distinctive
The word "peculiar" originates from Latin peculiaris, meaning "of private property," derived from peculium (personal wealth, livestock). In ancient Rome, livestock (pecu) was a measure of personal wealth, giving rise to the sense of "belonging exclusively to someone." Over time, the meaning shifted to "distinctive" and later "unusual," as uniqueness often implies deviation from the norm. The suffix -iar (via Latin -aris) forms adjectives, preserving the word’s original structure.
The plant has a peculiar smell that attracts insects.
His peculiar habits made him stand out in the crowd.
This custom is peculiar to the region.
She gave me a peculiar look when I mentioned the incident.
The artifact has a peculiar shape, unlike anything found before.