catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Solitaire \Sol`i*taire"\, n. [F. See Solitary.]
     1. A person who lives in solitude; a recluse; a hermit.
        --Pope.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A single diamond in a setting; also, sometimes, a precious
        stone of any kind set alone.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Diamond solitaires blazing on his breast and wrists.
                                                    --Mrs. R. H.
                                                    Davis.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A game which one person can play alone; -- applied to many
        games of cards, etc.; also, to a game played on a board
        with pegs or balls, in which the object is, beginning with
        all the places filled except one, to remove all but one of
        the pieces by ``jumping,'' as in draughts.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Zo["o]l.)
        (a) A large extinct bird ({Pezophaps solitaria) which
            formerly inhabited the islands of Mauritius and
            Rodrigeuz. It was larger and taller than the wild
            turkey. Its wings were too small for flight. Called
            also solitary.
        (b) Any species of American thrushlike birds of the genus
            Myadestes. They are noted their sweet songs and
            retiring habits. Called also fly-catching thrush. A
            West Indian species ({Myadestes sibilans) is called
            the invisible bird.
            [1913 Webster]

  Solitaire \Sol`i*taire"\, n. [F. See Solitary.]
     1. A person who lives in solitude; a recluse; a hermit.
        --Pope.
  
     2. A single diamond in a setting; also, sometimes, a precious
        stone of any kind set alone.
  
              Diamond solitaires blazing on his breast and wrists.
                                                    --Mrs. R. H.
                                                    Davis.
  
     3. A game which one person can play alone; -- applied to many
        games of cards, etc.; also, to a game played on a board
        with pegs or balls, in which the object is, beginning with
        all the places filled except one, to remove all but one of
        the pieces by ``jumping,'' as in draughts.
  
     4. (Zo["o]l.)
        (a) A large extinct bird ({Pezophaps solitaria) which
            formerly inhabited the islands of Mauritius and
            Rodrigeuz. It was larger and taller than the wild
            turkey. Its wings were too small for flight. Called
            also solitary.
        (b) Any species of American thrushlike birds of the genus
            Myadestes. They are noted their sweet songs and
            retiring habits. Called also fly-catching thrush. A
            West Indian species ({Myadestes sibilans) is called
            the invisible bird.