Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Exceptional \Ex*cep"tion*al\, a. [Cf. F. exceptionnel.]
   Forming an exception; not ordinary; uncommon; rare; hence,
   better than the average; superior. --Lyell.

         This particular spot had exceptional advantages.
                                                  --Jowett (Th.
                                                  )
   -- {Ex*cep"tion*al*ly}, adv.

Source : WordNet®

exceptional
     adj 1: far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree; "a night of
            exceeding darkness"; "an exceptional memory";
            "olympian efforts to save the city from bankruptcy";
            "the young Mozart's prodigious talents" [syn: {exceeding},
             {olympian}, {prodigious}, {surpassing}]
     2: surpassing what is common or usual or expected; "he paid
        especial attention to her"; "exceptional kindness"; "a
        matter of particular and unusual importance"; "a special
        occasion"; "a special reason to confide in her"; "what's
        so special about the year 2000?" [syn: {especial(a)}, {particular(a)},
         {special}]
     3: deviating widely from a norm of physical or mental ability;
        used especially of children below normal in intelligence;
        "special educational provisions for exceptional children"
        [syn: {exceptional(a)}]