From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
Especial \Es*pe"cial\, a. [OF. especial, F. sp['e]cial, L.
specialis, fr. species a particular sort, kind, or quality.
See Species, and cf. Special.]
Distinguished among others of the same class or kind;
special; concerning a species or a single object; principal;
particular; as, in an especial manner or degree.
Syn: Peculiar; special; particular; uncommon; chief. See
Peculiar.
[1913 Webster]