singularityn.
/sɪŋɡjʊˈlarɪti/ I. Senses related to singleness or unity.† 1. Singleness of aim or purpose. Obsolete. rare.† 2. A single or separate thing or entity; a unit.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > resolution or determination > [noun] > on one thing
singularitya1340
singleness1806
unity1836
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter iv. 10 Þai perisch þat sekis many thyngs, and syngularite is halden in halymen, for þai sett all þaire hert to luf anly a god.
1640 in J. Rushworth Hist. Coll.: Third Pt. (1692) I. 130 Is there in us that which God requires, Unity, Purity, and singularity of heart?
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > [noun] > one thing
singularityc1374
simple1483
one1543
othing1555
unary1576
item1578
unity1587
single1646
individual1659
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (1868) v. met. iii. 160 Whan þe soule..seeþ..god, þan knoweþ it to-gidre þe somme and þe singularites, þat is to seyn, þe principles and eueryche by hym self.
1548 E. Gest Treat. againste Masse sig. Lvv Wee importeth a multitude and not a singularitee.
1606 L. Bryskett Disc. Ciuill Life 162 (As Aristotle sayth) the knowledge of vniuersalities springeth from singularities.
a1682 Sir T. Browne Christian Morals (1716) iii. 111 Persons of short times..Know not singularities enough to raise Axioms of this World.
1708 Brit. Apollo 25–30 June Tho it be an Usual thing in the Hebrew..for a Plural Word to denote a Singularity.
3. The quality or fact of being one in number or kind; singleness, oneness. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > [noun] > condition of being
onenesseOE
onehoodc1225
unityc1330
onlepihead1340
oneheadc1350
singlertyc1400
onliheada1425
uniona1513
singularity1583
singleness1597
singularness1650
oneship1656
unit1670
onefoldness1674
unicity1691
unitude1841
monadity1844
unitarinessa1866
unitarity1922
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. L4v The singularitie of one man may easilie be abused.
1593 T. Bilson Perpetual Govt. Christes Church 245 The singularitie of one Pastour over each flocke is commanded.
1608 T. Heywood Rape of Lucrece sig. D Barren princes Breed danger in their singularity.
1673 J. Flavell Fountain of Life viii. 83 He is described..by the singularity of his mediation, one Mediator.
1707 G. Hickes Two Treat. ii. ii. 265 The Unity of each Church resteth in the Singularity of the Pastour.
1712 J. Arbuthnot Lewis Baboon iv. vi. 29 Why may not John Bull be Us..? I hope John Bull is no more confin'd to Singularity than Nic. Frog.
1806 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 96 225 The projectile motions of the planets..are all decidedly in favour of a marked singularity of direction.
1850 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1853) 3rd Ser. xi. 132 Not merely the singularity in the number of God's Being.
II. Senses relating to separateness or individuality.† 5. † b. Desire to be specially favoured. Obsolete. rare.† 6. Distinction due to, or involving, some superior quality; special excellence or goodness. Obsolete.
4. † a. The fact or condition of being alone or apart from others; solitariness. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > condition of being alone > [noun]
onenessOE
onehead1340
onliheada1382
singularity1398
onlinessa1425
soleness1587
loneness1591
singleness1816
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) vi. xxiii. 212 Men vsyd to ete togyders in open place, leest syngularite [Bodl. MS. singulerite] schuld brede lechery.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 239 Goats loue singularity, and may well be called Schismatiks among Cattell, and therefore they thriue best lying together in small numbers.
b. A solitary instance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > only one > [noun] > a unique thing or example
union1657
unique1714
singularity1814
unicum1885
one-off1947
singleton1966
1814 J. Adams Wks. (1856) X. 106 A friendship of forty years, I have found a rarity, though not a singularity.
a. Private or personal profit or gain. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > [noun] > that which is obtained or acquired > personal or private
singular1419
singularity1426
particularityc1550
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > self-interest > [noun] > personal benefit or advantage
commodity1410
singularity1426
commodomec1547
particularityc1550
commodie1575
main chance1584
self-good1594
self-interest1595
job1680
1426 J. Lydgate tr. G. de Guileville Pilgrimage Life Man 23661 Wherfore the Spon that thou hast seyn ys callede ‘Syngularyte’, thyng to possede in propurte.
1436 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 190 But covetyse and singularite Of one [v.r. owne] profite..Hathe done us harme.
c1450 Burgh Contn. Lydgate Secrees 2223 Comende that Officeer..As hym that loueth moore prosperite, vnyversal of thy Regioun Than pryvat avayl to his singularyte.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > desire for specific things > [noun] > other specific desires
singularity1493
tacturiency1652
visuriency1652
nostalgie de la boue1897
veld fever1899
1493 Chastysing Goddes Chyldern (de Worde) x. sig. Bvv/2 Some of thyse men by a grete singularytee desire of god some specyalle thefte.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [noun]
goodnessOE
mund?c1250
daintethc1290
bountyc1300
daintyc1300
excellencec1384
virtuea1393
excellency?a1400
nobilitya1400
meritc1425
singularity?c1450
fineness1523
admirationa1533
rareness1545
rightness1561
rariety1566
rarity1566
excellentness1569
beautya1586
admirableness1607
primeness1611
gallantry1650
eximiety1656
optimity1656
altesse1660
unexceptionableness1669
excellingness1701
quality1803
sterlingness1815
stupendosity1828
goodliness1832
superbness1832
unexceptionability1837
sweetness and light1867
class1884
rortiness1885
rippingness1903
superstardom1928
motherfucker1977
awesomeness1998
?c1450 in G. J. Aungier Hist. & Antiq. Syon Monastery (1840) 378 No singularite of metes and drynkes be had in the freytour.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 101 Dylygently to attayne in al artys & crafte gret syngularyte.
1558 W. Ward tr. G. Ruscelli Secretes Alexis of Piemount (1568) 62 b In lyke maner may you dresse and trymme Peches and other fruites: a thing of great singularitie.
1620 Horæ Subseciuæ 358 There were conioyned all singularities together, best workmen, best wits,..and so in euery kinde Superlatiue.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 482 The kindnesses of whom..argued in them a greater singularitie of kindnesse and compassion.
7. † c. Dissent or separation from (something). Obsolete.
a. The fact or quality of differing or dissenting from others or from what is generally accepted, esp. in thought or religion; personal, individual, or independent action, judgement, etc., esp. in order to render one's self conspicuous or to attract attention or notice. (Common from 1590 to 1700.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > dissent or disagreement > [noun] > from others or what is generally accepted
singulerty1414
singularity1502
singularity1680
Raskol1947
1502 tr. Ordynarye of Crysten Men (de Worde) iv. xxx. sig. ll.iiii v Syngularyte, as not to vouchesauf to do as done other.
a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) ii. f. 61 This mislikyng of Ryming, beginneth not now of any newfangle singularitie.
1593 G. Harvey New Let. Notable Contents B Excellency hath in all ages affected singularity.
1601 W. Cornwallis Ess. I. i It comes too neere singularitie, and a desire to be noted.
1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. vi. v. sig. Nn8v The Day will come, when those that despise his Singularity, will envy his Happiness.
1715 R. Bentley Serm. Popery 26 He that zealously vends his Novelties,..what is He but a Trader for the Fame of Singularity?
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison VI. xxix. 181 Singularity is usually the indication of something wrong in judgment.
1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. xxix. 92 So much the restless eagerness to shine, And love of singularity, prevail.
1887 J. R. Lowell Democracy & Other Addr. 10 That conceit of singularity which is the natural recoil from our uneasy consciousness of being commonplace.
b. Const. of (opinion, etc.).
ΚΠ
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 114 Doctor Latwar,..affecting some singularitie of forwardnesse, more then his place required,..was mortally wounded.
1622 in S. R. Gardiner Fortescue Papers (1871) 184 I neaver affected singularity of opinion either in myself or any other man.
1772 Ann. Reg. 1771 ii. 166 Tacitus's only aim seems to have been singularity of expression.
1779 Mirror No. 19 That singularity of opinion, which is the natural consequence of his want of opportunities of comparing his own ideas with those of others.
1822 W. Hazlitt Table-talk (1869) 2nd Ser. xvi. 327 Avoid singularity of opinion as well as of every thing else.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > dissent or disagreement > [noun] > from others or what is generally accepted
singulerty1414
singularity1502
singularity1680
Raskol1947
1680 R. Baxter Answer to Dr. Stillingfleet vi. 15 Is our Consent with the Universal Church, or your Singularity from it, liker to Schism or Separation?
1681 Whole Duty of Nations 12 These Holy Men['s]..Singularity from Sin and False Worship.
8. † c. A special or particular kind of (something).
a. Individual character or property; individuality; distinctiveness.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > [noun]
singulerty1414
singularness1530
singularity1583
individuality1614
haecceity1635
thisness1643
individuity1650
individualness1681
singleness1728
individuism1825
individualism1847
inscape1868
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. C2v There is a certeine singularitie, interest, and proprietie in euery thing.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 491 Some particulars..may be said touching some of them in other places, according to the singularitie of each Nation in this so manifolde a profession.
1648 J. Beaumont Psyche xvii. cccxi. 337 The Singularity which seemeth so Compleat in every Individual Creature.
1778 F. Burney Evelina II. xix. 205 This room..is without ornament, elegance, or any sort of singularity, and merely to be marked by its length.
a1856 W. Hamilton Lect. Metaphysics (1859) II. xxviii. 169 All the special determinations which give it [sc. a triangle]..singularity or individuality.
b. The fact or condition of departing or deviating from what is customary, usual, or normal; peculiarity, eccentricity, oddity, strangeness.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > unconformity > abnormality > [noun] > oddness
oddness1611
queerity1711
particularity1712
whimsicalness1715
oddity1739
queerness1748
whimsicality1761
singularity1768
quizzity1788
eccentricity1794
quizziness1798
queerishness1803
fantasticness1825
rumness1840
weirdness1869
quirkiness1870
rumminess1872
whimsiness1909
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 61 The Count smil'd at the singularity of the introduction.
1794 S. Williams Nat. & Civil Hist. Vermont 150 The manners and customs of the Indians are marked with a singularity peculiar to the savage.
1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 122 (note) The following anecdote, which, for its singularity, surpasses even the attempts of Chatterton.
1821 W. M. Craig Lect. Drawing v. 303 There is another species of rock which I shall mention, on account of its singularity.
1830 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I III. iv. 56 The singularity of his manners had attracted as much notice as his eminence at the bar.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > [noun] > a special kind of
singularity1776
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations I. i. vii. 74 Some natural productions require such a singularity of soil and situation, that [etc.] . View more context for this quotation
9. With a and plural.in extended use.1601 B. Jonson Fountaine of Selfe-love iv. v. sig. I4 All the choisest Singularities of the Court are vp in Pantofles. View more context for this quotation
a. An instance of individual departure from common ideas or practice.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [noun] > deviation from normal standards of behaviour > instance of
singularity1570
excursion1615
eccentricity1657
exorbitanta1714
angularity1833
unconventionality1854
quiddities1941
1570 E. Grindal Let. in Remains (Parker Soc.) 305 He hath a busy head, stuffed full of Singularities.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage ii. ix. 154 When afterwards in a singularitie he had gone aside into a Caue, and there mewed vp himselfe.
1692 tr. C. de Saint-Évremond Misc. Ess. 98 He fear'd the singularities which came from a false Spirit.
1692 tr. C. de Saint-Évremond Misc. Ess. 336 I pardon our religious Men the sad Singularity of eating nothing but Herbs.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 166. ⁋1 The World is so overgrown with Singularities in Behaviour, and Method of Living.
1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ i. 7 Numerous expressions and singularities of style.
1849 D. M. Mulock Ogilvies 14 Even slight singularities of dress—usually puerile and contemptible affectations.
1884 Liverpool Mercury 22 Oct. 5/4 The singularities of his character and the misfortunes of his life.
b. A distinctive, noteworthy, or curious thing; esp. plural, notable features or objects; †the sights (of a place).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > [noun] > sights (of a place)
singularity1576
sights1632
videnda1765
visibility1775
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > quality of inspiring wonder > [noun] > a marvel, object of wonder
wonderc700
wonderinga1100
selcouthc1175
sellya1200
ferlyc1275
wondernessc1275
wonder thingc1290
adventurec1300
marvelc1300
marvellingc1400
wonderelc1440
signc1450
admiration1490
wonderment1542
wondering stockc1555
miracle-worker1561
singularity1576
stupor mundi1587
miracle1595
marvellation1599
portent1607
astonishment1611
prodigy1616
magnale1623
magnality1646
mirable1646
phenomenon1741
gaping-stock1817
reacher1825
stunner1829
buster1833
caution1834
merry-go-rounder1838
knock-down1843
astonisher1871
marvelry1874
mazer1876
phenom1881
whizzer1888
knock-out1892
whizz1908
doozy1916
doozer1930
heart-stopper1940
blockbuster1942
ooh-ah1957
mind-blower1968
stonker1987
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > [noun] > a special thing > an) extraordinary thing(s)
singularity1576
extraordinary1589
remarkable1639
extraordinary1650
something else1844
cough drop1851
quite something1909
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 118 Since Douer..is not many myles of; I will haste me thither..and..vnfolde the singularities of the place.
1593 A. Munday tr. C. Estienne Def. Contraries sig. c4 Countrey houses..beset with cleere fountaines,..Vineyardes, Meadowes,..and other singularities.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. i. 15 Many haue wrote of the singularities of old Rome.
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures lvii. 225 When we had well observed the singularities of this Temple.
1760 Ann. Reg., Chron. 78 Numbers are daily crouding from this city..to view these singularities [petrified human bodies].
1801 J. Strutt Glig-gamena Angel-ðeod iv. ii. 275 One of them [chess-boards], a perfect singularity, is of circular form.
1808 J. Bentham Sc. Reform 2 But as Africa of old was noted for physical, so have the British islands been in modern times for psychological singularities.
c. A peculiar, exceptional, or unusual feature or characteristic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > [noun] > a special thing > an exceptional feature
quirka1616
singularity1663
peculiarity1751
purlicues1808
notability1856
idiasm1868
1663 J. Spencer Disc. Prodigies vi. 95 There is a singularity therein in regard of the nature of it.
1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) I. 121 From these singularities of structure, it is probable that the generation of these plants is effected in some mode not yet understood.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India I. ii. iv. 167 The trials by ordeal..have been thought a mighty singularity in the institutions of our Gothic ancestors.
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. II. 723 I have..seen several of these singularities, and especially the renewal of the sight and hearing.
1852 A. Cayley Coll. Math. Papers II. 28 On the singularities of curves.
1883 F. M. Wallem Fish Supply Norway 22 It is a singularity of the export..of cured fish that [etc.].
d. Mathematics. A point at which a function takes an infinite value.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > algebra > [noun] > expression > function > value or set of values of > point at which specific value is taken
singularity1893
node1927
1893 A. R. Forsyth Theory Functions Complex Variable xxi. 606 All the essential singularities of a discontinuous group lie on the axis of a when the group is real.
1939 Ann. Math. 40 924 In the case of a Schwarzschild field a particle is bound to follow a path with a radius greater than (2 + √3) times the radius of the Schwarzschild singularity.
1959 Listener 27 Aug. 320/1 At the start of the expansion certain quantities in our differential equations become infinite. This frequently happens with differential equations, and when it does the equation is said to contain a mathematical singularity.
1977 Sci. Amer. (U.K. ed.) July 126/3 Gauss did much more with complex numbers. In 1811 he discovered what is now called Cauchy's theorem: The integral of a complex analytical function around a closed curve that encloses no singularities is zero.
e. Astronomy. A region in space-time at which matter is infinitely dense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > space > [noun] > space-time
space warp1936
subspace1937
singularity1965
1965 Physical Rev. Lett. 14 58/1 An exterior observer will always see matter outside r = 2m, the collapse through r = 2m to the singularity at r = 0 being invisible to him.
1972 Nature 21 Apr. 378/2 In the physical world..we may take the phrase ‘space-time singularity’ to mean a region in which space and time have become so locally distorted that the present laws of physics are no longer applicable.
1979 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Arts 127 579/1 A central ‘singularity’ where tidal forces (the difference between the gravitational acceleration of his head and his feet) would become infinite, and he would be crushed out of existence.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.a1340