/ ˈsɒlətri; NAmE ˈsɑːləteri/ adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
[ usually before noun ] done alone; without other people :
She enjoys long solitary walks.
He led a solitary life.
2.
( of a person or an animal ) enjoying being alone; frequently spending time alone :
He was a solitary child.
Tigers are solitary animals.
3.
( of a person, thing or place ) alone, with no other people or things around
SYN single :
a solitary farm
A solitary light burned dimly in the hall.
4.
[ usually before noun ] (especially in negative sentences and questions) only one
SYN single :
There was not a solitary shred of evidence (= none at all) .
► soli·tari·ness noun [ U ]
■ noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ U ] ( informal ) = solitary confinement
2.
[ C ] ( formal ) a person who chooses to live alone
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Latin solitarius , from solus alone.