non-pluraln.adj.
/nɒnˈplʊərəl/, /nɒnˈplʊərl̩/, /nɒnˈplɔːrəl/, /nɒnˈplɔːrl̩/, U.S. /nɑnˈplʊr(ə)l/ A. n.
That which is not plural; (Grammar) that which is not in the plural form; (also) the fact or condition of being only one in number. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > only one > [noun] > condition of being
onliness1633
solitude1642
solitariety1678
oneness1715
uniquity1789
uniqueness1802
solitarity1803
solity1882
non-plural1941
1941 N. K. Smith Philos. of D. Hume xxiii. 500 Tending to equate ‘unity’ with ‘the simple’, in the sense of the non-plural.
1992 Ann. Rev. Anthropol. 21 389 The distinction between it and the other third person pronouns projects a more deeply ingrained cultural postulate than the distinction between plural and nonplural.
B. adj.
That is not plural; (Grammar) that is not in the plural form.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > other grammatical categories or concepts > [adjective] > number > plural > not
non-plural1958
1958 L. Krasner in S. Saporta & J. R. Bastian Psycholinguistics (1961) 81/1 When used to reinforce nonplural responses, both stimuli tended to increase the frequency of such responses.
1967 Amer. Jrnl. Sociol. 73 297/2 By summing the appropriate values assigned to each polity, a scale with a theoretical range from 0 (non-plural) to 8 (highly plural) is possible.
1970 Jrnl. Gen. Psychol. July 7 Greenspoon noted that both of these reinforcing stimuli effected an increase in the emission of nonplural responses.
1996 Current Anthropol. 37 685/2 There was no opportunity for the plurality of cultures to develop, and so I acquired a preconception that cultures, and ceramic styles within cultures, would be nonplural.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1941