singular

comparative more singular · superlative most singular · alternative abbreviation sing. · alternative abbreviation sg. · alternative abbreviation sg

1. Being only one of a larger population; single, individual.

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

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

   And may God forbid that a whole group should suffer for a single man's folly.

   1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Canon’s Yeoman’s Tale”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; Charles Cowden Clarke, editor, The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer. […], 2nd edition, volume III, Edinburgh: James Nichol; London: James Nisbet & Co.; Dublin: W. Robertson, 1860, →OCLC, page 158

   Synonyms: individual, concrete, discrete, individual, particular, peculiar, proper, specific · Antonyms: general, catholic, common, ecumenical, general, generic, nonsingular, nonspecific

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

   She has a singular personality.

   3 more examples

   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, […], →OCLC

   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, […], →OCLC, pages 461–462

   Synonyms: unique, alone, azygous, incomparable, matchless, nonpareil, only, exclusive

3. Distinguished by superiority: peerless, unmatched, eminent, exceptional, extraordinary.

   a man of singular gravity or attainments

   Synonyms: exceptional, extraordinary, remarkable

4. Out of the ordinary; curious.

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

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   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, →OCLC, 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], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

   Synonyms: curious, eccentric, funny, odd, peculiar, rum, rummy, strange

5. grammarReferring to only one thing or person.

   Antonyms: plural

6. linear algebraHaving no inverse.

   Synonyms: non-invertible · Antonyms: invertible, non-singular

7. linear algebraHaving the property that the matrix of coefficients of the new variables has a determinant equal to zero.
8. mathematicsNot equal to its own cofinality.
9. lawEach; individual.

   to convey several parcels of land, all and singular

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   Cel[adon]. […] Hovv do Meliſſa’s tvvo fair Daughters? / Aſt[eria]. VVhen you tell me vvhich of ’em you are in love vvith, I’le anſvver you. / Cel. VVhich of ’em, naughty ſiſter, vvhat a question’s there? VVith both of ’em, vvith each and singular of ’em.

   1667 March 12 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), John Dryden, Secret-Love, or The Maiden-Queen: […], London: […] Henry Herringman, […], published 1668, →OCLC, Act I, scene i, page 1

10. obsoleteEngaged in by only one on a side; single.

    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, →OCLC

plural singulars · alternative abbreviation sing. · alternative abbreviation sg. · alternative abbreviation sg

1. grammarA form of a word that refers to only one person or thing.

   Antonyms: plural

2. human sciencesThat which is not general; a specific determinate instance.
3. collectiveA group of boars.

   The harts and hinds in their herds, the boars in their singulars, the skulls of foxes, the richesses of martens, the bevies of roes, the cetes of badgers and the routs of wolves - all came to him more or less as something which you either skinned or flayed and then took home to cook.

   1958, T.H. White, The Once and Future King

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   He rode as it were mechanically forward with his late counsellors, Diego and Gonsalez, at his side; and though, when "a singular of boars" was hunted out from his covert by the fierce Alauntes, the king followed up the chase, and even threw a spear at the bristled animal, yet it was with little spirit, and so ill aimed that the spear struck, and broke short, against an ancient oak tree of the forest.

   1884, Anna Eliza Bray, The Talba, or Moor of Portugal, volume 3, page 238