- Single
- Single Sin"gle, a. [L. singulus, a dim. from the root in
simplex simple; cf. OE. & OF. sengle, fr. L. singulus. See
{Simple}, and cf. {Singular}.]
1. One only, as distinguished from more than one; consisting
of one alone; individual; separate; as, a single star.
[1913 Webster]
No single man is born with a right of controlling the opinions of all the rest. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
2. Alone; having no companion. [1913 Webster]
Who single hast maintained, Against revolted multitudes, the cause Of truth. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
3. Hence, unmarried; as, a single man or woman. [1913 Webster]
Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Single chose to live, and shunned to wed. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
4. Not doubled, twisted together, or combined with others; as, a single thread; a single strand of a rope. [1913 Webster]
5. Performed by one person, or one on each side; as, a single combat. [1913 Webster]
These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, . . . Who now defles thee thrice ti single fight. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
6. Uncompounded; pure; unmixed. [1913 Webster]
Simple ideas are opposed to complex, and single to compound. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster]
7. Not deceitful or artful; honest; sincere. [1913 Webster]
I speak it with a single heart. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
8. Simple; not wise; weak; silly. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
He utters such single matter in so infantly a voice. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]
{Single ale}, {Single beer}, or {Single drink}, small ale, etc., as contrasted with {double ale}, etc., which is stronger. [Obs.] --Nares.
{Single bill} (Law), a written engagement, generally under seal, for the payment of money, without a penalty. --Burril.
{Single court} (Lawn Tennis), a court laid out for only two players.
{Single-cut file}. See the Note under 4th {File}.
{Single entry}. See under {Bookkeeping}.
{Single file}. See under 1st {File}.
{Single flower} (Bot.), a flower with but one set of petals, as a wild rose.
{Single knot}. See Illust. under {Knot}.
{Single whip} (Naut.), a single rope running through a fixed block. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
