singular en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- sĭng'-gyə-lər (General-American)
- (US) audio
- sĭng'-gyo͝o-lə (Received-Pronunciation)
- /ˈsɪŋ.ɡjʊ.lə/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- /ˈsɪŋ.ɡjə.lɚ/ (General-American)
Etymology
From Middle English singuler, from Old French, from Latin singulāris (“alone of its kind”), from Latin singulus (“single”).
Meanings
-
Being only one of a larger population; single, individual.
A singular experiment cannot be regarded as scientific proof of the existence of a phenomenon.
And God forbid that all a company / Should rue a singular manne'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:
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Being the only one of the kind; unique.
singular instances
1620, Francis Bacon, Novum Organum: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:She has a singular personality.
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:
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Distinguished by superiority: peerless, unmatched, eminent, exceptional, extraordinary.
a man of singular gravity or attainments
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Out of the ordinary; curious.
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:It was very singular; I don't know why he did it.
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:
- Referring to only one thing or person.
- (of matrix) Having no inverse.
- (of transformation) Having the property that the matrix of coefficients of the new variables has a determinant equal to zero.
- (of a cardinal number) Not equal to its own cofinality.
-
Each; individual.
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:to convey several parcels of land, all and singular
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(obsolete) Engaged 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:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| most singular | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| sg | Abbr=Yes | alternative | lexicographic |
| sing. | Abbr=Yes | alternative | lexicographic |
| more singular | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| sg. | Abbr=Yes | alternative | lexicographic |
Antonyms
ecumenical · non-singular · generic · unspecific · unparticular · common · nonsingular · universal · nonspecific · plural · catholic · unsingular · general · invertible · general
Deriveds
singularise · singular term · singular matrix · third-person singular · singularness · unsingular · second-person singular · nonsingular · equisingular · first-person singular · singularism · hypersingular · supersingular · singular value decomposition · singularist · singularity · singularize · singular statement · singular existential statement · cosingular · singularization · singularly
Synonyms
exceptional · quaint · funny · rum · selcouth · unmatched · individual · unearthly · yampy · incongruitous · singular · proper · out of the ordinary · monstrous · unrivalled · irregular · unequaled · unique · bizarre · discrepant · queer as a nine bob note · curious · incomparable · queer as a three dollar bill · sui generis · uncouth · aberrant · strange · abnormal · unreasonable · rum · hinky · exceptional · unparalleled · deviant · concrete · nonstandard · unexpected · remarkable · azygous · freak · unwonted · rare · uncanny · weird · extraordinary · only · freaky · individual · unique · queer as a clockwork orange · nonpareil · freakish · anomalous · extraordinary · kooky · as queer as Dick's hatband · incongruous · unusual · eccentric · odd · trippy · singular · singular · discrete · rummy · seld · eerie · peerless · rummy · queer · queer as a coot · specific · unusual · unconventional · peculiar · forby · peculiar · outlandish · weirdsome · errant · booky · alone · alien · curious · eldritch · uncommon · outré · queer as Dick's hatband · funny · particular · heteroclite · strange · fey · matchless · non-invertible · odd · peculiar · fremd
Translations (205)
da singulær (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · sk jedinečný (being out of the ordinary) · de ungewöhnlich (being out of the ordinary) · bg особен (linear algebra: of transformation) · eo unuopa (being only one of larger population) · ja 非凡 (being out of the ordinary) · tr spesifik (being only one of larger population) · ro neobișnuit (being out of the ordinary) · th เอกฐาน (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · sh појѐдӣнӣ (being the only one of a kind) · cop ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲁⲩⲑⲁϣϥ (grammar: referring to only one thing) · ru еди́нственный (being only one of larger population) · nv łah jidiltʼéhígo (grammar: referring to only one thing) · hy եզակի (grammar: referring to only one thing) · mk едн. (grammar: referring to only one thing) · fi tavaton (distinguished by superiority) · ro singular (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · grc ἑνικός (grammar: referring to only one thing) · la singulāris (grammar: referring to only one thing) · ja 単一 (being the only one of a kind) · ca únic (distinguished by superiority) · ta ஒப்பற்ற (distinguished by superiority) · nn einstaka (being only one of larger population) · tg ягона (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · sv utmärkt (distinguished by superiority) · es único (distinguished by superiority) · ru своеобра́зный (being out of the ordinary) · eo ununombra (grammar: referring to only one thing) · gd singilte (being only one of larger population) · vi số ít (grammar: referring to only one thing) · ko 기묘(奇妙)하다 (being out of the ordinary) · nl enkelvoudig (grammar: referring to only one thing) · de singularisch (grammar: referring to only one thing) · sq njëjës (grammar: referring to only one thing) · tl isahan (grammar: referring to only one thing) · sk jedinečný (being the only one of a kind) · ru еди́нственный (grammar: referring to only one thing) · sh јѐдӣнӣ (being the only one of a kind) · ga uatha (grammar: referring to only one thing) · nl singulier (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · ka მხოლოობითი (grammar: referring to only one thing) · pl nieodwracalna (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · el ενικός (grammar: referring to only one thing) · ta தனி (being only one of larger population) · bg сингулярен (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · ja 風変わり (being out of the ordinary) · la singulāris (being only one of larger population) · nrf sîndgulyi (grammar: referring to only one thing) · pt singular (being out of the ordinary) · es singular (grammar: referring to only one thing) · sv ensam (being only one of larger population) · ta மேம்பட்ட (distinguished by superiority) · tr belirli (being only one of larger population) · pl osobliwy (being out of the ordinary) · nn einskild (being only one of larger population) · te ఏకవచనము (grammar: referring to only one thing) · cy unigol (grammar: referring to only one thing) · sv unik (being the only one of a kind) · et mittepööratav (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · bg особен (being out of the ordinary) · ko 뛰어나다 (distinguished by superiority) · tr üstün (distinguished by superiority) · ja 無二 (being only one of larger population) · ta நிகரற்ற (distinguished by superiority) · fi singulaarinen (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · sv singulär (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · nb enkelt (being only one of larger population) · ar مُفْرَد (grammar: referring to only one thing) · pt único (being out of the ordinary) · ja 単数の (grammar: referring to only one thing) · nl enkelvoudige (grammar: referring to only one thing) · sh не̏обичан (being out of the ordinary) · sv besynnerlig (being out of the ordinary) · cmn 單數 /单数 (grammar: referring to only one thing) · de singulär (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · fi uniikki (being the only one of a kind) · fi erinomainen (distinguished by superiority) · sv ensam (being the only one of a kind) · ru едини́чный (being the only one of a kind) · bg сингулярен (linear algebra: of transformation) · es singular (being the only one of a kind) · fi merkillinen (being out of the ordinary) · sk jednotný (grammar: referring to only one thing) · ko 비범(非凡)하다 (distinguished by superiority) · ja 奇妙 (being out of the ordinary) · vo balnumik (grammar: referring to only one thing) · cmn 非凡 (distinguished by superiority) · tr tek (being only one of larger population) · gd singilte (being the only one of a kind) · es singular (being only one of larger population) · da singularis (grammar: referring to only one thing) · fi kummallinen (being out of the ordinary) · bg еди́нствен (grammar: referring to only one thing) · sk jedinečný (distinguished by superiority) · sv enstaka (being only one of larger population) · th เอกฐาน (linear algebra: of transformation) · nn enkelt (being only one of larger population) · es singular (linear algebra: of transformation) · ca singular (being out of the ordinary) · ko 특이(特異)하다 (being out of the ordinary) · nl opmerkelijk (distinguished by superiority) · fr singulier (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · sk jediný (being only one of larger population) · nv tʼááłáʼígo (grammar: referring to only one thing) · ta ஒற்றை (being only one of larger population) · id tunggal (being only one of larger population) · bg еди́нствен (distinguished by superiority) · sk singulárny (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · pt singular (distinguished by superiority) · pl osobliwa (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · sv egendomlig (being out of the ordinary) · fi singulaarinen (linear algebra: of transformation) · cmn 獨特 /独特 (distinguished by superiority) · de einzeln (being only one of larger population) · ko 유일(唯一)하다 (being only one of larger population) · nl opmerkelijke (distinguished by superiority) · oc singular (grammar: referring to only one thing) · pt único (being only one of larger population) · ja 単称 (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · cy unigol (being the only one of a kind) · ca singular (grammar: referring to only one thing) · is et. (grammar: referring to only one thing) · nl enige (being the only one of a kind) · nl ongewoon (being out of the ordinary) · tr ünik (being the only one of a kind) · ko 유일(唯一)하다 (being the only one of a kind) · hu egyes szám (grammar: referring to only one thing) · tr eşsiz (being the only one of a kind) · ang ānfeald (grammar: referring to only one thing) · sh nȅobičan (being out of the ordinary) · ru необыкнове́нный (being out of the ordinary) · ko 훌륭하다 (distinguished by superiority) · fi omituinen (being out of the ordinary) · sh òsobit (being the only one of a kind) · ko 희한(稀罕)하다 (being out of the ordinary) · th เอกพจน์ (grammar: referring to only one thing) · pt singular (being the only one of a kind) · sh pojèdīnī (being the only one of a kind) · tr farklı (being out of the ordinary) · cmn 奇特 (being out of the ordinary) · es singular (being out of the ordinary) · ro unic (being only one of larger population) · cmn 不尋常 /不寻常 (being out of the ordinary) · tr tekil (grammar: referring to only one thing) · ko 유일무이(唯一無二)하다 (being the only one of a kind) · ja 希有 (distinguished by superiority) · nl uitzonderlijk (distinguished by superiority) · nl enig (being the only one of a kind) · ro singular (grammar: referring to only one thing) · ja 非凡 (distinguished by superiority) · fr singulier (grammar: referring to only one thing) · pt único (grammar: referring to only one thing) · bg изключителен (distinguished by superiority) · ta ஒருமை (grammar: referring to only one thing) · pt simples (being only one of larger population) · it singolare (grammar: referring to only one thing) · ta தனித்துவமான (being out of the ordinary) · ko 단수(單數)의 (grammar: referring to only one thing) · bg необикновен (being out of the ordinary) · ca singular (being the only one of a kind) · bg единствен (being the only one of a kind) · ko 단일(單一)하다 (being only one of larger population) · eo unika (being the only one of a kind) · cy nodedig (being out of the ordinary) · fi yksiköllinen (grammar: referring to only one thing) · cmn 獨一無二 /独一无二 (being the only one of a kind) · cy hynod (being out of the ordinary) · es singular (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · ca singular (distinguished by superiority) · ja 希有 (being out of the ordinary) · ca singular (being only one of larger population) · sh jèdīnī (being the only one of a kind) · mk еднина (grammar: referring to only one thing) · bg единствен (being only one of larger population) · ko 단일(單一)하다 (being the only one of a kind) · pt único (being the only one of a kind) · lij scingolâre (grammar: referring to only one thing) · ro unic (distinguished by superiority) · fi ainutlaatuinen (being the only one of a kind) · ja 唯一 (being only one of larger population) · ko 기이(奇異)하다 (being out of the ordinary) · bg особен (linear algebra: of matrix: having no inverse) · cop ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲁⲩⲑⲁϣϥ (being the only one of a kind) · ta தனித்துவமான (being the only one of a kind) · sv singular (grammar: referring to only one thing) · pt único (distinguished by superiority) · fi yksittäinen (being only one of larger population) · ro singular (being only one of larger population) · ch senggolåt (grammar: referring to only one thing) · de einzigartig (distinguished by superiority) · da ental (grammar: referring to only one thing) · sv enastående (distinguished by superiority) · pal 'ywk' (grammar: referring to only one thing) · de einzigartig (being the only one of a kind) · sv säregen (being out of the ordinary) · enm soleyn (being the only one of a kind) · ro singular (being the only one of a kind) · sk singulárový (grammar: referring to only one thing) · pt singular (grammar: referring to only one thing) · is eintala (grammar: referring to only one thing) · uk своєрі́дний (being out of the ordinary) · cmn 單一 /单一 (being only one of larger population) · sh о̀собит (being the only one of a kind) · pl pojedynczy (grammar: referring to only one thing) · fi harvinainen (being out of the ordinary)