special order

¹

noun

, Military.

1. any one of a set of instructions from a headquarters affecting the activity or status of an individual or group of individuals.

special-order

²

[ spesh-uhl-awr-der ]

verb (used with object)

1. to obtain by specific individual order:

   to special-order a dining-room chandelier.

verb (used without object)

1. to order goods by a special order.

Word History and Origins

Origin of special order¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The agency denied the special order of consent, although Alcoa may still submit another request.

From Popular-Science

I suspect it was a special order, and that there was embarrassment about failing to give the proper buyer his or her order.

From Washington Post

The FTC issued special orders to the companies as part of the inquiry in the hopes of better understanding how these firms report their transactions to the federal antitrust agencies.

From Digiday

In an amending Special Order of 20th July 1893, the age was raised, but the phrase was retained.

From Project Gutenberg

It is that the territorial business is the special order, made so by a suspension of the rules.

From Project Gutenberg

The cartridges had been packed in hermetically sealed cases, presumably for export-shipment or upon a special order.

From Project Gutenberg

Her patriotic entertainment of soldiers who required her special order of support and recreation was fast and furious.

From Project Gutenberg

On the following day it was read a second time, and made the special order for three o'clock on the following Monday.

From Project Gutenberg