singˈleton /-gl-tən/ noun

1. A single card of its suit in a hand
2. Anything single

singˈling /-gling/ noun

singˈly /-gli/ adverb

1. One by one
2. Alone
3. By oneself

singˈle-acting adjective

(of a reciprocating engine, etc) acting effectively in one direction only

singˈle-action adjective and noun

(a firearm) having a hammer which requires to be cocked manually before firing

singˈle-blindˈ adjective

Denoting a comparative experiment or trial in which the identities of the control group are known to the experimenters but not the subjects

single bond noun (chem)

A covalent bond involving the sharing of one pair of electrons

singˈle-breasted adjective

With one thickness over the breast and one row of buttons

singˈle-cell protein noun

Protein-rich material from cultured algae, fungi or bacteria, used esp as a food supplement (abbrev SCP)

singˈle-chamber adjective

Having one legislative house

single combat noun

Fighting between two individuals, usu with weapons

single cream noun

Cream with a low fat content that will not thicken when beaten

singˈle-cross noun (genetics)

A first-generation hybrid of two inbred lines

single currency noun

A centralized currency used by members of an economic group in preference to individual national currencies

singˈle-cut adjective

(of a file) having teeth in one direction only

single-deckˈer noun

A vessel or vehicle, esp a bus, with only one deck

singˈle-digit adjective

Of a number or percentage smaller than ten

singˈle-end noun (Scot)

A one-room dwelling, esp in a tenement

singˈle-ended adjective (electronics)

Of a unit or system, having one input and one output terminal permanently earthed

singˈle-entry noun

A system of bookkeeping in which each entry appears only once on one side or other of an account

singˈle-eyed adjective

1. One-eyed
2. Devoted, unselfish

singˈle-figure adjective

single figures plural noun

A score, total, etc, of any number from 1 to 9

single file see under file¹

singˈle-foot noun (dressage)

A brisk walking pace with each foot striking the ground separately, a rack or amble

intransitive verb

(of a horse) to walk in this way

single-handˈed adjective and adverb

1. By oneself
2. Unassisted
3. With or for one hand

single-handˈedly adverb

single-heartˈed adjective

1. Sincere
2. Without duplicity
3. Dedicated, devoted in one's attitude

single-heartˈedly adverb

single house noun

A house one room deep or wide

single in-line memory module noun (computing)

A small printed circuit board carrying a number of memory chips which are inserted into the motherboard (abbrev SIMM)

single-lens reflex see reflex camera under reflex

single market or single European market noun

A market allowing freedom of trade and movement of goods between members of the European Union

single-mindˈed adjective

1. Bent upon one sole purpose
2. Ingenuous

single-mindˈedly adverb

single-mindˈedness noun

single parent noun

A mother or father bringing up children alone (hence single-parent family)

singˈle-phase adjective

(of an alternating electric current) requiring one outward and one return conductor for transmission

singˈle-priced adjective (stock exchange)

Of a share, etc in which buyers and sellers deal at the same price

single pricing noun

singles bar or singles club noun

One esp for unmarried or unattached people, where friendships (and implicitly sexual relationships) can be formed

single-seatˈer noun

A car, aeroplane, etc fitted with one seat only

singˈle-sex adjective

(of schools, etc) for pupils, members, etc of one sex only

single soldier noun (Walter Scott)

A private

singˈle-soled adjective

(of shoes) having one layer in the sole

single-stepˈ transitive verb (computing)

To carry out a single instruction on (a program)

singˈlestick /-gl-stik/ noun

1. A fighting stick for one hand
2. A fight or game with singlesticks

single tax noun

A tax on ground-rent or land-values to supersede all other taxes

single ten noun (Shakespeare)

The ten of a card suit

single transferable vote see under transfer

singˈle-wicket adjective

Denoting a form of cricket in which individual players take it in turns to bat for a limited number of overs