Singular
Pronunciation
Alternative forms
- abbreviation: sg.
Origin
From Middle English singuler, from Old French, from Latin singularis ("alone of its kind"), from Latin singulus ("single").
Full definition of singular
Adjective
singular
- Being only one of a larger population.A singular experiment cannot be regarded as scientific proof of the existence of a phenomenon.
- Being the only one of the kind; unique.She has a singular personality.
- AddisonThese busts of the emperors and empresses are all very scarce, and some of them almost singular in their kind.
- ChaucerAnd God forbid that all a company
Should rue a singular man's folly. - Distinguished by superiority; eminent; extraordinary; exceptional.a man of singular gravity or attainments
- Out of the ordinary; curious.It was very singular; I don't know why he did it.
- DenhamSo singular a sadness
Must have a cause as strange as the effect. - MiltonHis zeal
None seconded, as out of season judged,
Or singular and rash. - (grammar) Referring to only one thing or person.
- (linear algebra, of matrix) Having no inverse.
- (linear algebra, of transformation) Having the property that the matrix of coefficients of the new variables has a determinant equal to zero.
- (set theory, of a cardinal number) Not equal to its own cofinality.
- (legal) Each; individual.to convey several parcels of land, all and singular
- (obsolete) Engaged in by only one on a side; single.
- Holinshedto try the matter thus together in a singular combat
Synonyms
- (being only one) individual
- (being the only one of a kind) unique
- (distinguished by superiority) exceptional, extraordinary, remarkable
- (being out of the ordinary) curious, eccentric, funny, odd, peculiar, strange, rum, rummy, unusual
- (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) non-invertible
Antonyms
- (grammar: referring to only one thing) plural
- (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) invertible, non-singular
Derived terms
Antonyms
- (grammar: form of a word that refers to only one thing) plural