def _is_special_name(name):
    """Determine whether or not *name* is a "__special__" name.

    :param str name: a name defined in a class ``__dict__``
    :return: ``True`` if *name* is a "__special__" name, else ``False``
    :rtype: bool

    """
    return name.startswith("__") and name.endswith("__")