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singularity - 5 dictionary results

sin⋅gu⋅lar⋅i⋅ty

  [sing-gyuh-lar-i-tee]
Use singularity in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ties for 2–4.
1. the state, fact, or quality of being singular.
2. a singular, unusual, or unique quality; peculiarity.
3. Mathematics. singular point.
4. Astronomy. (in general relativity) the mathematical representation of a black hole.
Origin:
1300–50; ME singularite < LL singulāritās. See singular, -ity

singular point

 
–noun Mathematics.
a point at which a given function of a complex variable has no derivative but of which every neighborhood contains points at which the function has derivatives.
Also called singularity.

Origin:
1885–90
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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sin·gu·lar·i·ty   (sĭng'gyə-lār'ĭ-tē)   
n.   pl. sin·gu·lar·i·ties
  1. The quality or condition of being singular.
  2. A trait marking one as distinct from others; a peculiarity.
  3. Something uncommon or unusual.
  4. Astrophysics A point in space-time at which gravitational forces cause matter to have infinite density and infinitesimal volume, and space and time to become infinitely distorted.
  5. Mathematics A point at which the derivative does not exist for a given function but every neighborhood of which contains points for which the derivative exists. Also called singular point.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Singularity

Sin`gu*lar"i*ty\, n.; pl. Singularities. [L. singularitas: cf. F. singularit['e].]

1. The quality or state of being singular; some character or quality of a thing by which it is distinguished from all, or from most, others; peculiarity.

Pliny addeth this singularity to that soil, that the second year the very falling down of the seeds yieldeth corn. --Sir. W. Raleigh.

I took notice of this little figure for the singularity of the instrument. --Addison.

2. Anything singular, rare, or curious.

Your gallery Have we passed through, not without much content In many singularities. --Shak.

3. Possession of a particular or exclusive privilege, prerogative, or distinction.

No bishop of Rome ever took upon him this name of singularity [universal bishop]. --Hooker.

Catholicism . . . must be understood in opposition to the legal singularity of the Jewish nation. --Bp. Pearson.

4. Celibacy. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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singularity   (sĭng'gyə-lār'ĭ-tē)  Pronunciation Key 
  1. A point of infinite density and infinitesimal volume, at which space and time become infinitely distorted according to the theory of General Relativity. According to the big bang theory, a gravitational singularity existed at the beginning of the universe. Singularities are also believed to exist at the center of black holes.
  2. Mathematics A point at which the derivative does not exist for a given function but every neighborhood of which contains points for which the derivative exists.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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