One (wŭn)1, a.
(wŭn), a. [A-S. ân, âin, O. Sax. en, O. Fries. an, en, D. & Dan. een, Sw. en, Icel. einn, O. & N. H. Ger. ein, Goth. âins, âin, allied to Lat. unus, onus, oinus, W. un, Ir. & Gael. aon, an.]
Sense 1. Being but a single unit, or entire being or thing, and no more; not multifold; single; individual;—used as a cardinal number. “The dream of Pharaoh is one.” Gen. xli. 25.
In this use, it often takes a sense nearly equivalent to the indefinite article a or an; as, one horse, man, stove, &c.
Sense 2. Denoting a person conceived or spoken of indefinitely;—used as an indefinite pronoun or adjective; as, if one should inquire. “I am the sister of one Claudio” [Shak.], that is, of a certain individual named Claudio.
It is often used in this sense, with some, any, or no; as, will some one speak? It is sometimes joined with another, to denote a reciprocal relation.
They did not contend with one another at home. Davenant.
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom. Matt. xiii. 19.
In this use, as a pronoun, one may be in the plural; as, the great ones of the earth; they came with their little ones.
Sense 3. Pointing out a contrast, or denoting a particular thing different from some other specified thing;—used as a correlative adjective.
Ask from the one side of heaven unto the other whether there hath been any such thing. Deut. iv. 32.
Sense 4. Closely bound together; constituting a whole; undivided; united.
I study other friendships, and more one Than these can ever be, or else wish none. B. Jonson.
The church is therefore one, though the members may be many. Pearson.
Sense 5. Single in kind; the same; a common.
One plague was on you all, and on your lords. 1 Sam. vi. 4.
One is often used in forming compound words, the meaning of which is obvious without special explanation; as, one-arched, one-armed, one-celled, one-colored, one-eyed, one-handed, one-hearted, one-horned, one-ideaed, one-leaved, one-legged, one-masted, one-nerved, one-ribbed, one-seeded, one-story, one-stringed, one-syllable, one-valved, one-winged, and the like.
All one, just the same; as, it is all one what course you take.—At one, in union; in agreement or concord. “The king resolved to keep Ferdinand and Philip at one with themselves.” Bacon.
The worthy story-tellers are not at one as to the facts. Prof. Wilson.
See ATONE.—In one, in union; in one united body.—One day. (a.) On a certain or particular day, referring to time past.
One day when Phœbe fair, With all her band, was following the chase. Spenser.
(b.) Referring to future time; at a future time, indefinitely.