peculiar, n. Hist. Eccles. law. A district, parish, chapel, or church that was not subject to a bishop’s jurisdiction. • Peculiars were created, usu. under papal authority, to limit a bishop’s power. There were several types, including royal peculiars (e.g., the Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace or St. George’s in Windsor), peculiars of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and peculiars of bishops and deans. The jurisdiction and privileges of the peculiars were abolished by various statutes in the 19th century.
peculiar
peculiar, adj. Special; particular (peculiar benefit).