/ ˈsɪŋgjələ(r); NAmE / noun , adjective
■ noun
( grammar ) a form of a noun or verb that refers to one person or thing :
The singular of 'bacteria' is 'bacterium'.
The verb should be in the singular .
—compare plural
■ adjective
1.
( grammar ) connected with or having the singular form :
a singular noun / verb / ending
2.
( formal ) very great or obvious
SYN outstanding :
landscape of singular beauty
3.
( literary ) unusual; strange
SYN eccentric :
a singular style of dress
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense solitary, single , also beyond the average ): from Old French singuler , from Latin singularis , from singulus , related to simplus simple.