Sui generis
adj, adv, noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Definitions
- 1 Something of its own kind; a thing apart.
"It is word-generated knowledge or knowledge by testimony ( K. T. for short ) – a sui generis."
- 1 In a class of its own; one of a kind. not-comparable
"It is easy to describe second-rate talents, because they fall into a class and enlist under a standard; but first-rate powers defy calculation or comparison, and can be defined only by themselves. They are sui generis, and make the class to which they belong."
- 1 constituting a class of its own; unique wordnet
- 1 By itself; of its own. not-comparable, rare
"They came up with a program that the federal Minister of Agriculture and his provincial colleagues agreed was a good and appropriate approach to handling that particular problem. They did it sui generis."
Example
More examples"It is easy to describe second-rate talents, because they fall into a class and enlist under a standard; but first-rate powers defy calculation or comparison, and can be defined only by themselves. They are sui generis, and make the class to which they belong."
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin suī generis (literally “of its own kind/class”).