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.
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     2. A single diamond in a setting; also, sometimes, a precious
        stone of any kind set alone.
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              Diamond solitaires blazing on his breast and wrists.
                                                    --Mrs. R. H.
                                                    Davis.
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     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.
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     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.
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  Solitary \Sol"i*ta*ry\, a. [L. solitarius, fr. solus alone: cf.
     F. solitaire. See Sole, a., and cf. Solitaire.]
     1. Living or being by one's self; having no companion
        present; being without associates; single; alone; lonely.
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              Those rare and solitary, these in flocks. --Milton.
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              Hie home unto my chamber,
              Where thou shalt find me, sad and solitary. --Shak.
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     2. Performed, passed, or endured alone; as, a solitary
        journey; a solitary life.
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              Satan . . . explores his solitary flight. --Milton.
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     3. Not much visited or frequented; remote from society;
        retired; lonely; as, a solitary residence or place.
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     4. Not inhabited or occupied; without signs of inhabitants or
        occupation; desolate; deserted; silent; still; hence,
        gloomy; dismal; as, the solitary desert.
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              How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of
              people.                               --Lam. i. 1.
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              Let that night be solitary; let no joyful voice come
              therein.                              --Job iii. 7.
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     5. Single; individual; sole; as, a solitary instance of
        vengeance; a solitary example.
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     6. (Bot.) Not associated with others of the same kind.
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     Solitary ant (Zo["o]l.), any solitary hymenopterous insect
        of the family Mutillid[ae]. The female of these insects
        is destitute of wings and has a powerful sting. The male
        is winged and resembles a wasp. Called also spider ant.
        
  
     Solitary bee (Zo["o]l.), any species of bee which does not
        form communities.
  
     Solitary sandpiper (Zo["o]l.), an American tattler
        ({Totanus solitarius).
  
     Solitary snipe (Zo["o]l.), the great snipe. [Prov. Eng.]
  
     Solitary thrush (Zo["o]l.) the starling. [Prov. Eng.]
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  Solitary \Sol"i*ta*ry\, n.
     One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchoret; a hermit; a
     recluse.
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