singular

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 ]