Sĭn'gu-lar1, a.
a. [Lat. singularis, from singulus, single; Fr. singulier, Pr., Sp., & Pg. singular, It. singulare, singolare.]
Sense 1. Separate from others; single. [Obs.] “To try the matter in a singular combat.” Holinshed.
Sense 2. (Logic.) Existing by itself; single; individual.
That idea which represents one determinate thing, is called a singular idea, whether simple, complex, or compound. Watts.
Sense 3. (Gram.) Denoting one person or thing; as, the singular number;—opposed to dual and plural.
Sense 4. Standing by itself; out of the ordinary course of things; unusual; uncommon; as, a singular phenomenon.
So singular a sadness Must have a cause as strange as the effect. Denham.
Sense 5. Distinguished as existing in a very high degree; rarely equaled; eminent; extraordinary; as, a man of singular gravity or attainments.
Sense 6. Distinguished as departing from general usage or expectations; odd; whimsical;—often implying something censurable or not approved.
His zeal None seconded, as singular and rash. Milton.
Sense 7. Being alone; belonging to, or being, that of which there is but one; unique.
These busts of the emperors and empresses are scarce, and some of them almost singular in their kind. Addison.
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. Math. Dict.—Singular proposition (Logic), a proposition having as its subject a singular term, or a common term limited by means of a singular sign to an individual. Whately.—Singular term, a term which represents or stands for a single individual.
Synonyms—Unexampled; unprecedented; eminent; extraordinary; remarkable; uncommon; rare; unusual; peculiar; strange; odd; eccentric; fantastic.