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It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. |
SOL'ITARY, a. [L. solitarius, from solus, alone.]
SOL'ITARY, n. One that lives alone of in solitude; a hermit; a recluse.
Living or being by one's self; having no
companion present; being without associates; single; alone;
lonely.
Those rare and solitary, these in flocks. Milton. Hie home unto my chamber, Performed, passed, or endured alone; as, a
solitary journey; a solitary life.
Satan . . . explores his solitary flight. Milton. Not much visited or frequented; remote from
society; retired; lonely; as, a solitary residence or
place.
Not inhabited or occupied; without signs of
inhabitants or occupation; desolate; deserted; silent; still; hence,
gloomy; dismal; as, the solitary desert.
How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people. Lam. i. 1. Let that night be solitary; let no joyful voice come therein. Job iii. 7. Single; individual; sole; as, a
solitary instance of vengeance; a solitary
example.
Not associated with others of
the same kind.
Solitary ant (Zoöl.), any solitary hymenopterous insect of the family Mutillidæ. 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 (Zoöl.), any species of bee which does not form communities. -- Solitary sandpiper (Zoöl.), an American tattler (Totanus solitarius). -- Solitary snipe (Zoöl.), the great snipe. [Prov. Eng.] -- Solitary thrush (Zoöl.) the starling. [Prov. Eng.] One who lives
alone, or in solitude; an anchoret; a hermit; a recluse.
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