pre-noun adjectival
exceptional; praiseworthy; laudable
Archaic pre-noun adjectival (rentaishi) used in classical Japanese to describe something outstanding or admirable. Not used in modern everyday speech; encountered mainly in historical texts.
古語では「異なこと」と言えば、並外れて優れたことを指した。
In classical language, '異なこと' referred to something exceptionally excellent.
Modern verb meaning 'to differ'; not directly related in usage, but shares the kanji 異.
Modern adverb meaning 'particularly'; shares the kanji 殊 and a similar nuance of exceptionality.
The exact derivation is uncertain; likely a classical rentaishi form related to the stem of an old verb or adjective expressing exceptional quality. The kanji spellings 異 and 殊 both convey the sense of being different or special.