single definition

1. One only, as distinguished from more than one; consisting of one alone; individual; separate; as, a single star. "No single man is born with a right of controlling the opinions of all the rest." (Pope)

2. Alone; having no companion. "Who single hast maintained, Against revolted multitudes, the cause Of truth." (Milton)

3. Hence, unmarried; as, a single man or woman. "Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness." (Shak) "Single chose to live, and shunned to wed." (Dryden)

4. Not doubled, twisted together, or combined with others; as, a single thread; a single strand of a rope.

5. Performed by one person, or one on each side; as, a single combat. "These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, . . . Who now defles thee thrice ti single fight." (Milton)

6. Uncompounded; pure; unmixed. "Simple ideas are opposed to complex, and single to compound." (I. Watts)

7. Not deceitful or artful; honest; sincere. "I speak it with a single heart." (Shak)

8. Simple; not wise; weak; silly. "He utters such single matter in so infantly a voice." (Beau & Fl) Single ale, beer, or drink, small ale, etc, as contrasted with double ale, etc, which is stronger. Single bill, a single rope running through a fixed block.

Origin: L. Singulus, a dim. From the root in simplex simple; cf. OE. & OF. Sengle, fr. L. Singulus. See Simple, and cf. Singular.

1. To select, as an individual person or thing, from among a number; to choose out from others; to separate. "Dogs who hereby can single out their master in the dark." (Bacon) "His blood! she faintly screamed her mind Still singling one from all mankind." (More)

2. To sequester; to withdraw; to retire. "An agent singling itself from consorts." (Hooker)

3. To take alone, or one by one. "Men . . . Commendable when they are singled." (Hooker)

Origin: Singled; Singling.