Single \Sin"gle\, a. [L. singulus, a dim. from the root in
simplex simple; cf. OE. & OF. sengle, fr. L. singulus. See
Simple, and cf. Singular.]
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. [Obs.]
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.
[Obs.]
--Nares.
Single bill (Law), a written engagement, generally under
seal, for the payment of money, without a penalty.
--Burril.
Single court (Lawn Tennis), a court laid out for only two
players.
Single-cut file. See the Note under 4th File.
Single entry. See under Bookkeeping.
Single file. See under 1st File.
Single flower (Bot.), a flower with but one set of petals,
as a wild rose.
Single knot. See Illust. under Knot.
Single whip (Naut.), a single rope running through a fixed
block.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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