I. sol ‧ i ‧ ta ‧ ry 1 /ˈsɒlət ə ri, ˈsɒlɪt ə ri $ ˈsɑːləteri/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: solitarius , from solitas 'solitude' , from solus ; ⇨ ↑ sole 1 ]
1 . [only before noun] used to emphasize that there is only one of something SYN single :
the solitary goal of the match
The benches were empty except for a single solitary figure.
2 . doing something without anyone else with you:
a long, solitary walk
3 . spending a lot of time alone, usually because you like being alone OPP sociable :
a solitary man
Pandas are solitary creatures.
He led a rather solitary existence.
4 . not a solitary word/thing etc used to emphasize that there is not even one:
He followed her round without a solitary word.
—solitarily adverb
—solitariness noun [uncountable]
II. solitary 2 BrE AmE noun ( plural solitaries )
1 . [uncountable] informal solitary confinement:
He spent two weeks in solitary.
2 . [countable] British English literary someone who lives completely alone SYN hermit