The Collaborative International Dictionary
Singular \Sin"gu*lar\ (s[i^][ng]"g[-u]*l[~e]r), a. [OE. singuler, F. singulier, fr. L. singularius, singularis, fr. singulus single. See Single, a.]
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Separate or apart from others; single; distinct. [Obs.]
--Bacon.And God forbid that all a company Should rue a singular man's folly.
--Chaucer. -
Engaged in by only one on a side; single. [Obs.]
To try the matter thus together in a singular combat.
--Holinshed. -
(Logic) Existing by itself; single; individual.
The idea which represents one . . . determinate thing, is called a singular idea, whether simple, complex, or compound.
--I. Watts. (Law) Each; individual; as, to convey several parcels of land, all and singular.
(Gram.) Denoting one person or thing; as, the singular number; -- opposed to dual and plural.
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Standing by itself; out of the ordinary course; unusual; uncommon; strange; as, a singular phenomenon.
So singular a sadness Must have a cause as strange as the effect.
--Denham. Distinguished as existing in a very high degree; rarely equaled; eminent; extraordinary; exceptional; as, a man of singular gravity or attainments.
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Departing from general usage or expectations; odd; whimsical; -- often implying disapproval or censure.
His zeal None seconded, as out of season judged, Or singular and rash.
--Milton.To be singular in anything that is wise and worthy, is not a disparagement, but a praise.
--Tillotson. -
Being alone; belonging to, or being, that of which there is but one; unique.
These busts of the emperors and empresses are all very scarce, and some of them almost singular in their kind.
--Addison.Singular point in a curve (Math.), a point at which the curve possesses some peculiar properties not possessed by other points of the curve, as a cusp point, or a multiple point.
Singular proposition (Logic), a proposition having as its subject a singular term, or a common term limited to an individual by means of a singular sign.
--Whately.Singular succession (Civil Law), division among individual successors, as distinguished from universal succession, by which an estate descended in intestacy to the heirs in mass.
Singular term (Logic), a term which represents or stands for a single individual.
Syn: Unexampled; unprecedented; eminent; extraordinary; remarkable; uncommon; rare; unusual; peculiar; strange; odd; eccentric; fantastic.