Singularities

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Singularity \Sin`gu*lar"i*ty\
     (s[i^][ng]`g[-u]*l[a^]r"[i^]*t[y^]), n.; pl. {Singularities}
     (s[i^][ng]`g[-u]*l[a^]r"[i^]*t[i^]z). [L. singularitas: cf.
     F. singularit['e].]
     1. The quality or state of being singular; some character or
        quality of a thing by which it is distinguished from all,


        or from most, others; peculiarity.
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              Pliny addeth this singularity to that soil, that the
              second year the very falling down of the seeds
              yieldeth corn.                        --Sir. W.
                                                    Raleigh.
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              I took notice of this little figure for the
              singularity of the instrument.        --Addison.
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     2. Anything singular, rare, or curious.
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              Your gallery
              Have we passed through, not without much content
              In many singularities.                --Shak.
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     3. Possession of a particular or exclusive privilege,
        prerogative, or distinction.
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              No bishop of Rome ever took upon him this name of
              singularity [universal bishop].       --Hooker.
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              Catholicism . . . must be understood in opposition
              to the legal singularity of the Jewish nation. --Bp.
                                                    Pearson.
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     4. Celibacy. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
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