Definition of "singular"

singular

/ˈsɪŋ.ɡjə.lɚ/

adjective
comparative more singular, superlative most singular
1. Being only one of a larger population.
2. Being the only one of the kind; unique.
  Quotations
  The busts […] of the emperors and empresses are all very scarce, and some of them almost singular in their kind.
  1705, J[oseph] Addison, Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, &c. in the Years 1701, 1702, 1703, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […]
  And God forbid that all a company / Should rue a singular manne's folly.(please add an English translation of this quotation)
  1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “(please specify the story)”, in The Canterbury Tales; Charles Cowden Clarke, editor, The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer. […], 2nd edition, volumes (please specify |volume=I, II, or III), Edinburgh: James Nichol; London: James Nisbet & Co.; Dublin: W. Robertson, 1860,
  singular instances
  1620, Francis Bacon, Novum Organum
  A group of finches, of which Mr. Gould considers there are thirteen species; and these he has distributed into for new sub-genera. These birds are the most singular of any in the archipelago.
  1839, Charles Darwin, Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of His Majesty’s Ships Adventure and Beagle, between the Years 1826 and 1836, […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], pages 461–462
3. Distinguished by superiority: peerless, unmatched, eminent, exceptional, extraordinary.
4. Out of the ordinary; curious.
  Quotations
  So ſingular a ſadneſs / Muſt have a cauſe as ſtrange as the effect: […]
  1641 (first performance), [John Denham], The Sophy. […], 2nd edition, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for H[enry] Herringman, […], published 1667, Act I, scene ii, page 11
  His zeal / None seconded, as out of season judged, / Or singular and rash.
  1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […]; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873,
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.
10. (obsolete) Engaged in by only one on a side; single.
  Quotations
  Thus made he an end, and the two princes allowed well of his last motion, and so order was taken, that they should fight togither in a singular combat
  1577, Raphaell Holinshed, The Firste Volume of the Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande […], volume I, London: […] [Henry Bynneman] for Iohn Harrison
noun
plural singulars
1. (grammar) A form of a word that refers to only one person or thing.
2. (logic) That which is not general; a specific determinate instance.

Definition of "singular"

singular

adjective

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

noun