peculiar people
Americanplural noun
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the Jews as being God's chosen people. Deuteronomy 14:2.
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(usually initial capital letters) a name adopted by certain fundamentalist Christian sects, signifying their refusal to conform to any rule of conduct that is contrary to the letter or spirit of the Bible.
plural noun
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(sometimes capitals) a small sect of faith healers founded in London in 1838, having no ministers or external organization
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the Jews considered as God's elect
Etymology
Origin of peculiar people
First recorded in 1485–95
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“It’s only peculiar people like you that I want to impress.”
From BusinessWeek ● Jul. 5, 2011
The problem of the Christian majority, particularly in America," says Niebuhr, "is to come to terms with the stubborn will to live of the Jews as a peculiar people, both religiously and ethnically.
From Time Magazine Archive
We were a peculiar people, but quite as zealous for good works, as any of our neighbors.
From Dealings with the Dead, Volume I (of 2) by A Sexton of the Old School
"You know the English are a very peculiar people," remarked Albina.
From Pencil Sketches or, Outlines of Character and Manners by Eliza Leslie
Men will know what to expect from us, and will count it no strange thing if they see us living the lives of separate peculiar people.
From Practical Religion Being Plain Papers on the Daily Duties, Experience, Dangers, and Privileges of Professing Christians by John Charles Ryle
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
