singular

Alternative forms

• (abbreviation): sg.

Etymology

From Middle English singuler, from Old French [Term?], from Latin singularis (“alone of its kind”), from Latin singulus (“single”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈsɪŋɡjəlɚ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈsɪŋɡjʊlə/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

singular (comparative more singular, superlative most singular)

1. Being only one of a larger population.

   A singular experiment cannot be regarded as scientific proof of the existence of a phenomenon.

2. Being the only one of the kind; unique.

   She has a singular personality.

   • Addison

     These busts of the emperors and empresses are all very scarce, and some of them almost singular in their kind.

   • Chaucer

     And God forbid that all a company / Should rue a singular man's folly.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Francis Bacon to this entry?)

3. Distinguished by superiority; eminent; extraordinary; exceptional.

   a man of singular gravity or attainments

4. Out of the ordinary; curious.

   It was very singular; I don't know why he did it.

   • Denham

     So singular a sadness / Must have a cause as strange as the effect.

   • Milton

     His zeal / None seconded, as out of season judged, / Or singular and rash.

5. (grammar) Referring to only one thing or person.
6. (linear algebra, of matrix) Having no inverse.
7. (linear algebra, of transformation) Having the property that the matrix of coefficients of the new variables has a determinant equal to zero.
8. (set theory, of a cardinal number) Not equal to its own cofinality.
9. (law) Each; individual.

   to convey several parcels of land, all and singular

10. (obsolete) Engaged in by only one on a side; single.
    • Holinshed

      to try the matter thus together in a singular combat

Noun

singular (plural singulars)

1. (grammar) A form of a word that refers to only one person or thing.

See also

• (grammatical numbers) grammatical number; singular, dual, trial, quadral, paucal, plural
• simplex
• simple
• single
• singulus

Further reading

• singular in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• singular in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• singular at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• rail guns, railguns

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin singulāris.

Adjective

singular (masculine and feminine plural singulars)

1. singular

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin singulāris.

Adjective

singular m, f (plural singulares)

1. singular

Adjective

singular m, f (plural singulares, comparable)

1. singular (being the only one of a kind)
2. (grammar) singular (referring to only one thing)

Noun

singular m (plural singulares)

1. (grammar) singular (form of a word that refers to only one thing)

Noun

sȉngulār m (Cyrillic spelling си̏нгула̄р)

1. singular

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin singulāris.

Adjective

singular (plural singulares)

1. singular
2. odd, peculiar

Noun

singular m (plural singulares)

1. singular