single

views updated May 09 2018

sin·gle / ˈsinggəl/ • adj. 1. only one; not one of several: a single red rose | the kingdom was ruled over by a single family. ∎  regarded separately or as distinct from each other or others in a group: she wrote down every single word it’s our single most popular beach. ∎  even one (used for emphasis): they didn't receive a single reply. ∎  designed or suitable for one person: a single bed. ∎ archaic not accompanied or supported by others; alone.2. unmarried or not involved in a stable sexual relationship: a single mother.3. consisting of one part: the studio was a single large room. ∎  (of a flower) having only one whorl of petals. ∎  denoting an alcoholic drink that consists of one measure of liquor: a single whiskey.4. archaic free from duplicity or deceit; ingenuous: a pure and single heart.• n. 1. an individual person or thing rather than part of a pair or a group. ∎  a short record with one song on each side. ∎  (singles) people who are unmarried or not involved in a stable sexual relationship: [as adj.] a singles bar. ∎  a bedroom, esp. in a hotel, that is suitable for one person. ∎  a single measure of liquor. ∎ inf. a one-dollar bill.2. Baseball a hit that allows the batter to reach first base safely.3. (singles) (esp. in tennis and badminton) a game or competition for individual players, not pairs or teams.• v. [tr.] 1. (single someone/something out) choose someone or something from a group for special treatment: one newspaper was singled out for criticism.2. [intr.] Baseball hit a single: Aaron singled to center. ∎  (single in) [tr.] cause (a run) to be scored by hitting a single: they each singled in a run. ∎  [tr.] advance (a runner) by hitting a single.DERIVATIVES: sin·gle·ness n.sin·gly / -glē/ adv.

single

views updated Jun 11 2018

single unaccompanied; unmarried; individual; not double XIV; separate XV; one (one or a) only XVI. ME. sengle — OF. sengle, single :- L. singulus f. sim- as in SIMPLE.
Hence single vb. separate, pick out. XVI. singlet (-ET) unlined undergarment for the trunk. XVIII. singleton (-TON) a single card of a suit in the hand. XIX. singly (-LY2) XIII.

single

views updated Jun 08 2018

single To reduce the regrowth from a coppice stool to allow a single pole to grow on to form a standard tree.

single

views updated May 17 2018

single (store) To allow a single pole from a coppice stool to grow on to form a standard tree.

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