solitary
pronunciation
How to pronounce solitary in British English:
UK [ˈsɒlətri]
How to pronounce solitary in American English:
US [ˈsɑːləteri]
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- Noun:
- confinement of a prisoner in isolation from other prisoners
- one who lives in solitude
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- Adjective:
- characterized by or preferring solitude in mode of life
- of plants and animals; not growing or living in groups or colonies
- lacking companions or companionship
- enjoyed or performed alone
- being the only one; single and isolated from others
- separated from or unfrequented by others; remote or secluded
Word Origin
- solitary
- solitary: see sole
- solitary (adj.)
- mid-14c., "alone, living alone," from Old French solitaire, from Latin solitarius "alone, lonely, isolated," from solitas "loneliness, solitude," from solus "alone" (see sole (adj.)). Meaning "single, sole, only" is from 1742. Related: Solitarily; solitariness. As a noun from late 14c.; from 1854 as short for solitary confinement (that phrase recorded from 1690s).
Synonym
Antonym
Example
- 1. There was something awful in this solitary monument of woe .
- 2. He calmed down during long , solitary walks .
- 3. The useless , solitary recollection of something that never happened .
- 4. The solitary gold vase in the exhibition is radiantly elegant .
- 5. Thus what would otherwise have been a solitary moment is magically transformed into a pleasant encounter .