Definition of sui generis Sui generis
su•i gen•e•ris
We found 5 definitions of sui generis from 4 different sources.
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What does sui generis mean?
WordNet
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| sui generis - constituting a class of its own; unique; "a history book sui generis"; "sui generis works like Mary Chestnut's Civil War diary" |
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Wiktionary 
- sui generis (Adjective)
In a class of its own; one of a kind . - sui generis (Adjective)
By itself; of its own.
Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘
- sui generis
Of his or its own kind.
Wikipedia 
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Sui generis (pronounced or) is a term from Latin. It can be translated to "Of (his/her/its) own kind". It basically means that something has very special characteristics. They are so special, that the thing cannot really be compared to anything else. It is used in various contexts. The term was invented by philosophers. What they originally wanted to say was that an idea is so unique, that it cannot really be part of a broader concept.
Law.
When lawyers talk about something being "sui generis", they mean that something is so unique it cannot really be compared. With intellectual property, a design can be "sui generis".
Political sciences.
The European Union is something that has come to be in the last few years. It is not like a state or confederation of states. It is more like an International organisation. It is mostly classified as "sui generis".
Sociology.
In the sociology of Emile Durkheim, "sui generis" is used to illustrate his theories on social existence. He says that society, as it was there before any living individual was born, is independent of all individuals. His "sui generis" (its closest English meaning in this sense being 'independent') society will furthermore continue its existence after the individual ceases to interact with it.
Examples in media.
Meryl Streep was praised in a "Wall Street Journal" review of "The Devil Wears Prada": "(her) pitch-perfect portrayal of Miranda is "sui generis", with a dramatic existence of its own, as unique and memorable as
