I. ˈsäləˌterē, -ri adjective
( sometimes -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin solitarius, from solitas aloneness (from solus alone + -itat-, -itas -ity) + -arius -ary — more at sole
1.
a. : being, living, or going alone or without companions
a solitary traveler
b. : given to or enjoying solitude
a person solitary by nature
also : living the life of a recluse or hermit
solitary saint
c. : suffering from lack of companions : lonely
often alone but never solitary
2.
a. : characterized by seclusion, solitude, or lack of inhabitants : unfrequented , deserted , desolate
a solitary valley
b. : located in a lonely place
a solitary mountain camp
solitary ruins
3. : characterized by the lack or absence of companions : taken, passed, performed, endured, or otherwise dealt with alone
a solitary ramble
solitary tasks
lead a solitary life
4. : single , individual , sole
a solitary example
5.
a. of a plant part or organ : not forming part of a group or cluster of parts or organs : occurring singly and usually one to a branch or stem
flowers terminal and solitary
b. of an organism : living or growing habitually alone : not gregarious, colonial, social, or compound
solitary tunicates
some bees are solitary in habit
some trees are solitary or sporadic in occurrence
Synonyms: see alone , single
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English, from solitary (I)
1. : one who lives or seeks to live a solitary life : recluse , hermit
2. : solitary confinement