ˈsäləˌta(a)](ə)r, -te], ]ə sometimes ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\ noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from solitaire solitary, adjective, from Latin solitarius
1. : solitary 1
2.
a. : a single diamond or sometimes other gem set alone
b. : a piece of jewelry (as a ring) set with a single diamond
her ear rings were magnificent solitaires
3. : a game designed for one person to play alone: as
a. : any of various card games that typically involve the arranging of cards dealt at random in a prescribed pattern — called also patience ; see double solitaire
b. : a game played on a board with pegs or balls in which the object is beginning with all the places filled except one to remove all but one of the pieces by jumping
4. : a large usually black silk neckcloth worn by men in the 18th century
5.
a. : a flightless extinct bird ( Pezophaps solitaria ) related to the dodo but less clumsy and with a smaller bill and formerly inhabiting the island of Rodriguez in the Indian ocean
b. : any of several American fly-catching thrushes (genus Myadestes ) noted for their sweet song and shyness — see townsend's solitaire