Singular

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.] 1. Separate or apart from others; single; distinct. [Obs.] --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

And God forbid that all a company Should rue a singular man's folly. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

2. Engaged in by only one on a side; single. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

To try the matter thus together in a singular combat. --Holinshed. [1913 Webster]

3. (Logic) Existing by itself; single; individual. [1913 Webster]

The idea which represents one . . . determinate thing, is called a singular idea, whether simple, complex, or compound. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster]

4. (Law) Each; individual; as, to convey several parcels of land, all and singular. [1913 Webster]

5. (Gram.) Denoting one person or thing; as, the singular number; -- opposed to {dual} and {plural}. [1913 Webster]

6. Standing by itself; out of the ordinary course; unusual; uncommon; strange; as, a singular phenomenon. [1913 Webster]

So singular a sadness Must have a cause as strange as the effect. --Denham. [1913 Webster]

7. Distinguished as existing in a very high degree; rarely equaled; eminent; extraordinary; exceptional; as, a man of singular gravity or attainments. [1913 Webster]

8. Departing from general usage or expectations; odd; whimsical; -- often implying disapproval or censure. [1913 Webster]

His zeal None seconded, as out of season judged, Or singular and rash. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

To be singular in anything that is wise and worthy, is not a disparagement, but a praise. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]

9. Being alone; belonging to, or being, that of which there is but one; unique. [1913 Webster]

These busts of the emperors and empresses are all very scarce, and some of them almost singular in their kind. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Unexampled; unprecedented; eminent; extraordinary; remarkable; uncommon; rare; unusual; peculiar; strange; odd; eccentric; fantastic. [1913 Webster]