singularity

Meaning

1. (countable, uncountable) The state of being singular, distinct, peculiar, uncommon or unusual.
2. (countable, uncountable) An unusual action or behaviour.
3. (countable, uncountable) A point where all parallel lines meet.
4. (countable, uncountable) A point where a measured variable reaches unmeasurable or infinite value.
5. (countable, uncountable) The value or range of values of a function for which a derivative does not exist.
6. (abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable) Ellipsis of gravitational singularity (“a point or region in spacetime in which gravitational forces cause matter to have an infinite density; associated with black holes”).
7. (abbreviation, alt-of, capitalized, countable, ellipsis, sometimes, uncountable) Ellipsis of technological singularity (“a hypothetical turning point in the future, the culmination of ever-accelerating technological progress, when human history as we have known it ends, and a strange new era begins. For some writers, the catalyst is superhuman machine intelligence”).
8. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) Anything singular, rare, or curious.
9. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) Possession of a particular or exclusive privilege, prerogative, or distinction.
10. (countable, uncountable) Celibacy, singleness (as contrasted with marriage).

Synonyms

uniqueness

peculiarity

oddity

unity

strangeness

idiosyncrasy

uncommonness

singular point

irregularity

eccentricity

particularity

queerness

quirk

quirkiness

shrank

singleness

singularness

specificity

strange

single-point

characteristic

onceness

crankiness

distinctiveness

imparity

incomparability

individuality

mannerism

oddness

oneness

originality

Translations

singularité

singularidade

Singularität

singularidad

singolarità

singulariteit

singularitat

bijzonderheid

Eigenheit

ιδιομορφία

Einzigartigkeit

Beispiellosigkeit

vluchtpunt

singularitat

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌsɪŋɡjəˈlæɹətɪ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: singularite

In summary

From Middle English singularite, from Old French singularité, from Late Latin singulāritās (“singleness”), from Latin singulāris (“single”). By surface analysis, singular + -ity.