Sin·gle a.
1. One only, as distinguished from more than one; consisting of one alone; individual; separate; as, a single star.
No single man is born with a right of controlling the opinions of all the rest. --Pope.
2. Alone; having no companion.
Who single hast maintained,
Against revolted multitudes, the cause
Of truth. --Milton.
3. Hence, unmarried; as, a single man or woman.
Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness. --Shak.
Single chose to live, and shunned to wed. --Dryden.
4. Not doubled, twisted together, or combined with others; as, a single thread; a single strand of a rope.
5. Performed by one person, or one on each side; as, a single combat.
These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, . . .
Who now defles thee thrice ti single fight. --Milton.
6. Uncompounded; pure; unmixed.
Simple ideas are opposed to complex, and single to compound. --I. Watts.
7. Not deceitful or artful; honest; sincere.
I speak it with a single heart. --Shak.
8. Simple; not wise; weak; silly. [Obs.]
He utters such single matter in so infantly a voice. --Beau. & Fl.
Single ale, Single beer, or Single drink, small ale, etc., as contrasted with double ale, etc., which is stronger. [Obs.] --Nares.
Single bill Law, a written engagement, generally under seal, for the payment of money, without a penalty. --Burril.
Single court Lawn Tennis, a court laid out for only two players.
Single-cut file. See the Note under 4th File.
Single entry. See under Bookkeeping.
Single file. See under 1st File.
Single flower Bot., a flower with but one set of petals, as a wild rose.
Single knot. See Illust. under Knot.
Single whip Naut., a single rope running through a fixed block.